Why Liverpool Are Playing Two Games in One Day – Explanation Revealed
Liverpool have raised eyebrows with an unusual pre-season schedule — hosting two friendlies against Athletic Bilbao on the same evening at Anfield. With kickoff times set for 5pm and 8pm on Monday, fans were left wondering: why the double feature?
Now, the reasoning behind this rare move has been clarified.
After returning from their Asia tour — where they faced off against AC Milan and Yokohama FM — Arne Slot’s side is accelerating preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign. With limited time and a large squad in need of minutes, the coaching staff opted for a split-squad format to maximize fitness, tactical assessments, and match sharpness across the entire team.
The decision allows Slot to evaluate more players in competitive conditions while keeping workloads balanced and avoiding unnecessary fatigue. It’s also a strategic opportunity for youth and fringe players to make their case for inclusion before the season kicks off.
In essence, the double-header is less about spectacle and more about practicality — fine-tuning a squad that’s aiming to hit the ground running in their bid to reclaim the Premier League title.
Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao: Double-Header Offers Tactical Insights and Emotional Tribute at Anfield
While it’s uncommon to see two matches played back-to-back between the same teams, Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao embraced the rare format on Monday evening — and with good reason. The line-ups for both fixtures were set to differ significantly, providing Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde the perfect chance to experiment with tactics and assess a wide range of player combinations.
The schedule was designed to ensure that nearly all senior players logged meaningful minutes at Anfield. It remains unclear whether either of the squads will reflect Liverpool’s strongest starting XI, or if both line-ups will blend first-team regulars, youth talent, and fringe players. With less than a week until Liverpool’s competitive season begins with the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley, every minute on the pitch is vital.
In the first of the two fixtures, Darwin Núñez and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha made notable starts — and both found the net, impressing fans with their sharpness and composure. However, some of Liverpool’s biggest names — including Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, and Virgil van Dijk — were left out of the opening matchday squad, as they are expected to feature in the evening game.
Anfield Honors Diogo Jota in Emotional Tribute
Beyond the action on the pitch, the evening held special significance for Liverpool supporters. Before kick-off in the first game, Anfield paid tribute to former Reds striker Diogo Jota, whose sudden passing stunned the football world. The memorial also honored his brother, André Silva.
Wreaths were laid in the center circle, and thousands of fans in the stands held flags bearing Jota’s name. The stadium then fell silent for a moment of remembrance, followed by a moving rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone. In a poignant gesture, the match was briefly paused in the 20th minute — Jota’s squad number — as the entire stadium erupted in applause, celebrating his legacy and connection to the club.
