Liverpool manager Arne Slot humorously remarked on Thursday that TNT Sports had scheduled the Reds’ first match of the upcoming Premier League season against Ipswich for a midday kick-off, jokingly attributing the timing to Jurgen Klopp no longer being in charge.

Former Liverpool boss Klopp, who departed at the end of the previous campaign, often criticized early kick-off times, especially following midweek matches and international breaks. Klopp had consistently expressed his displeasure with Saturday 12:30 pm starts, once describing such scheduling as “a crime” in one of his final press conferences at Anfield last month.

Despite Klopp’s absence, Liverpool will commence the new season with a 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) fixture at Portman Road on August 17.

“They’ve informed me it’s going to be 12.30… from what I understand, Jurgen complained a lot about this so probably they thought, with Jurgen no longer here, let’s schedule them for 12.30 again,” Slot quipped to Liverpool’s website.

“It’s different from a normal 12.30 because it’s not after a European game. I am looking forward to it. A promoted team so it’s going to be special for them as well,” added the 45-year-old Dutchman.

Slot also remarked, “I think every team might prefer a home game to start with, but we’re going to face Ipswich and we are looking forward to that.”

Last season, Liverpool had six midday kick-offs, whereas champions Manchester City and Manchester United had only three.