Liverpool have gained awareness about the gravity of the situation they are facing this season with the change in the Champions League format. They are already facing a lot of heat from a big section of the fanbase after the deadline day.
The Reds ended the summer transfer window with merely two senior team signings Giorgi Mamardashvili and attacker Federico Chiesa. Mamardashvili rejoined Valencia on a season-long loan deal as the Georgia international goalkeeper is an investment to secure the future.
However, Chiesa’s signing completely secures the attacking department and provides stern competition to legendary forward Mohamed Salah this season. Liverpool fans wanted the club to invest further after their failure to sign Martin Zubimendi for the number six position.
Furthermore, the Reds lack a left-footed central defender with their captain Virgil van Dijk playing at 33 years of age. The fixture for this season is bigger than what the English clubs have faced in previous seasons which is well-known.
Liverpool would hope that the squad Arne Slot inherited from Jurgen Klopp has the depth and requirements for the Dutchman. At the same time, Slot needs to make sure that the squad does not face any injury crisis once again.
Klopp’s last season as the Reds manager involved many phases of injury crisis even to the consistent players like Salah. Klopp also voiced his concern over the match scheduling as the manager but enjoyed no mercy from the scheduling bodies.
Liverpool endures a cruel fixture period due to the Champions League games they face, according to the Mirror. Tough Champions League matches against top opponents precede the most challenging Premier League fixtures for the Reds this season.
Liverpool will start their Champions League campaign against AC Milan on the 17th of September away at the San Siro Stadium. Their toughest series of games contains an away match against Chelsea followed by away games against RB Leipzig and Arsenal.
A home game against on-form side Brighton & Hove Albion will follow the away game against the Gunners. The Reds will then face last season’s unbeaten side in their domestic league, Bayer Leverkusen in an away game too. Liverpool faces Aston Villa right after the Champions League bout against the Reds favourite and Leverkusen’s current manager Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool will have no time to recover from all the earlier fixtures as they face their boogey team Real Madrid. They will face Manchester City on 30th November right after the Madrid game, followed by Newcastle United on 5th December.
Liverpool have no breather before the congested fixture period in December and January as Slot relies on the squad’s depth. Klopp always criticised the early kick-offs and hopefully, Slot will not face that amid the intense schedule this season.
More Liverpool News:
- Arne slot envisions ‘important’ role for Liverpool loanee
- Steven Gerrard gives his verdict on Liverpool newboy Chiesa
- £42.3m Manchester United summer signing will not be able to face Liverpool
There are two players available for each position and the Reds also have a strong academy to back them up. However, only the worst-case scenario would force Slot to rely on the young prospects in a high-pressure situation. Rest assured, Liverpool are counting on Duthman’s calm tactical style of play to maintain efficiency and longevity while avoiding injuries.
