Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard’s emotional return to Liverpool set to NOT be shown on live TV in the UK
Steven Gerrard’s emotional return to Anfield set to NOT be televised… with December 11 clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa not chosen for coverage by Sky or BT (but fans will be treated to Brentford-Watford instead!)
Fans are set to miss out on watching Steven Gerrard’s emotional return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager, after BT Sport and Sky Sports both opted against showing the game live.
Gerrard was appointed Villa boss on Thursday morning, and his fifth match in charge sees his travel to the north-west to take on his beloved Liverpool.
It is a clash that would draw huge numbers of television viewers, but unfortunately for British TV rights holders Sky and BT, the fixtures have already been chosen for December – and Liverpool vs Villa is not among them.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been appointed as the new manager of Aston Villa
Gerrard will return to Anfield as Villa boss for just his fifth game in charge on December 11
TV picks have already been made, though, and the game will not be televised in the UK
Instead, Sky will show Brentford vs Watford on Friday night, before Norwich vs Manchester United as their Saturday evening game, and a Super Sunday double-header of Leicester vs Newcastle and Crystal Palace vs Everton.
BT, meanwhile, have the Saturday lunchtime game between Manchester City and Wolves.
Liverpool vs Villa is a Saturday 3pm kick-off, meaning it will be part of the live television blackout in the UK, leaving radio commentary the only way to enjoy the game live, with TV highlights coming on Match of the Day later that night.
Sportsmail have approached the Premier League for comment.
A similar situation occurred with Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United, with the move happening after TV picks and therefore not selected by BT or Sky.
Gerrard is a Liverpool legend having played for them 710 times in a 17-year spell, winning the Champions League in 2005, as well as two FA Cups and three League Cups.
He took over from Dean Smith as Aston Villa boss on Thursday, following a successful three-and-a-half year spell at Rangers, in which he took them back to the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Gerrard won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and played over 700 games at club
His move to Villa brings to an end a successful spell at Rangers, in which he won the league
Gerrard celebrates after scoring against Aston Villa – the club he now manages – in 2007
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