Author: darylcarrigy

So who exactly do Liverpool face in the upcoming 6 week block?

Liverpool’s fixture pile-up

November 23: Crystal Palace (A – Premier League)

November 27: Napoli (H – Champions League)

November 30: Brighton (H – Premier League)

December 4: Everton (H – Premier League)

December 7: Bournemouth (A – Premier League)

December 10: RB Salzburg (A – Champions League)

December 14: Watford (H – Premier League)

December 17: Aston Villa (A – Carabao Cup)

December 18: Club World Cup semi-final

December 21: Club World Cup third place play-off/final

December 26: Leicester (A – Premier League)

December 29: Wolves (H – Premier League)

January 2: Sheffield United (H – Premier League)

January 3-6: FA Cup Third Round

The Reds return from the international break this weekend with what has historically been a tricky away tie to Crystal Palace. Entering in to what could be a season defining block of matches, the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday signals the first of 13 games Klopp’s men will play in just 41 days. After their emphatic win against Man City the Reds headed for the international break 9 points clear. They now however face a very tricky 6 weeks as they aim to navigate their way through four competitions.

On paper Palace represent the beginning of a run of five league games on paper at least would see the Reds confident of taking maximum points. It is Liverpool’s Cup schedule that has caused much controversy in recent weeks. Victory for a young LFC side against Arsenal in the League Cup has left the Reds facing two games in two days, 4000 miles apart. Liverpool’s fixture pile up does raise a winder issue concerning player welfare with world players union fifpro stating the situation is ‘the latest manifestation of an escalating crisis at the top of the game.’ There is no doubt this is true and Klopp got it spot on when he said the current state of the game is going to impact player’s longevity.

For now however the Reds can only face the situation head on and it is important the club prioritise. No doubt Klopp will want to win each game but with the squad set to be stretched to the maximum over the next 6 weeks it is no secret what needs to be put first and foremost. The premier league has to be the holy grail for this team with everything else becoming second best. The club cannot say this publicly of course and certain fans will point to last seasons champions league euphoria as a counter argument. There is no getting away from the fact however that by seasons end it will be 30 years since the Reds last tasted league glory under King Kenny, an unprecedented wait for a team that once ruled domestic football in England.

Winning the league has become almost an obsession now for large bulks of the LFC fan base. Jurgen Klopp sealed his status among the Liverpool greats in Madrid last July but with another title race looming against the greatest domestic squad ever assembled, cup competitions may well have to face the prospect of taking a back seat as history looms again.

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