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We shouldn't be surprised, but still it sticks in the craw.

Liverpool supporters have long been used to seeing their plans inconvenienced and interrupted by television companies, but their patience will be stretched thin during the coming weeks.

Between December 30 and January 8, Liverpool will play away at Sunderland and West Ham in the Premier League, face a Capital One Cup semi-final trip to Stoke City and now, due to the BBC's wish to extract maximum viewing figures, an FA Cup tie at Exeter City on a Friday night.

A test, then, for Jurgen Klopp and his squad. But more importantly, a test of fans' patience and purse strings at an already difficult time of year.

The Sunderland and West Ham fixtures, although awkward, can't really be helped – though the trip to Upton Park has been moved to an early kick-off slot for BT Sport's benefit – and progress in the League Cup means the Stoke trip is unavoidable.

But Friday night at St James' Park simply feels a step too far.

The last train to Lime Street from Exeter on Friday, January 8? Leaves before kick-off. Nice one.

A hefty, nine-hour road trip, then, for the travelling Reds. Or perhaps an expensive stopover. Either way, it's not great, is it? Not a week into the New Year.

Oh, and by the way, Liverpool's next away fixture after Exeter? Norwich City, Saturday, January 23. Kick-off time 12.45pm? No seriously, nice one.

The club, of course, can do little about these things. The money it makes from the Premier League's TV deal means they are forced to dance to their tune – though they can voice concerns at regular meetings, for what that's worth.

What they can do, though, is clear. It may not be something every fan would snap up, but the idea of subsidised, or even free, coach travel to Exeter is an obvious one. There will be a number of supporters looking to make all of those festive away trips, and they deserve to have the load lightened a little.

If not, how about reduced ticket prices for those who do travel, or for future fixtures? Nothing in the grand scheme of things for a club of Liverpool's size, and something that would create some much-needed goodwill at a time when the club and some of its supporters are not particularly close on certain issues.

These initiatives happen at other clubs – Stoke City, for example, offer free travel to all away games for supporters – so why not at Anfield?

Liverpool have always insisted that the fans, and their comfort, safety and happiness, are an integral part of the club's strategy to move forward.

This Christmas and New Year might just be the time to show it.

What would you like to see Liverpool FC do about this issue? Let us know in the comments section, or @LivEchoLFC