Liverpool FC manager Roy Hodgson frustrated by FIFA international break
The Reds' preparations ahead of Arsenal's visit to Anfield on August 15 are set to be hampered by the friendlies, which will see the majority of the club's first-team squad called up to represent their respective countries.
Kop boss Hodgson feels that the decision by world football's governing body to schedule a round of international fixtures so near to the opening day is frustrating not just to him but also virtually all of his counterparts in the English top flight.
He said: "It is frustrating not just for me, but for 90 per cent of my colleagues.
"In the Premier League there are very few teams who don't have a lot of international players on their books going away.
"Unfortunately FIFA set this date a long time back and we have known August 11 is a FIFA date.
"It is a bit unfortunate they have decided to start the league three days after that."
Hodgson also feels that FIFA's decision to plan the fixtures so soon after this summer's World Cup has left English clubs at a disadvantage in preparing for the new season compared to their counterparts in the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga.
"In my opinion, it would have been nice if that could have been pushed back and we had same sort of time the teams in Italy, Spain and Germany have to prepare because their leagues don't start until after ours.," he added.
