Champions League Match Day 1.
September 13, Saturday – Aston Villa (Home)
September 16, Tuesday – Ludogorets (Home)
September 20, Saturday – West Ham United (Away)
Liverpool begin their campaign in the coveted Champions League with arguably their easiest round of fixtures of the Group stage. While an injury hit Liverpool side prepare for the visit of stubborn Aston Villa this weekend, Brendan Rodgers will be expecting nothing less than 3 points from his boys as they take the field against Paul Lambert’s Villa who have conceded just 1 goal in the opening 3 encounters. Daniel Sturridge’s injury and the hectic schedule will certainly stretch Rodgers’ squad depth and his management abilities. The Champions League opener against Belarusian sideLudogorets, who are making their maiden appearance in the Champions League will be a special occasion. One can bet that the terraces of the Kop and the rest of Anfield will be counting down to this day. While West Ham and Sam Allardyce have been badgered into playing attacking football with flair by Hammers fans, Liverpool will expect nothing less than physical battle like the same fixture last season. The services of one Rickie Lambert may be very crucial in such a fixture.
Champions League Match Day 2
September 23. Tuesday – Middlesbrough (Home)
September 27. Saturday – Everton (Home)
October 1, Wednesday – Basel (Away)
October 4. Saturday – West Bromwich (Home)
Perhaps the most congested phase of Liverpool’s group stage, Rodgers will have to rotate his players well if he has to keep them in top condition. While the Nprthern Irishman has made it clear that he is out to win silverware, the Capital One Cup re[resents the perfect opportunity for Rodgers to wrap up a piece of silverware relatively early in the season. The game against Middlesbrough will be a tricky game but leave it to Rodgers to give the youngsters a run-out with the big-boys. The tricky cup-tie is followed by the much-awaited Merseyside derby at Anfield. While Everton were handed a hammering the last time they visited Anfield, the wrecker-in-chief that day Daniel Sturridge will be doubtful for the derby. Everton themselves chasing a top-4 finish under Roberto Martinez will be out for nothing less than a win. The trip to Switzerland is the most dangerous fixture for Liverpool not because Real Madrid will cut us any slack but because this game follows the heated Merseyside derby and there is a big window for complacency against a side like Basel. The Baggies visit Anfield next as Alan Irvine looks to continue his decent start this campaign. On paper, the Baggies game doesn’t look too threatening but take inot consideration the fact that Liverpool will have played 3 games in the previous 9 days and all of a sudden the visit from the Baggies doesn’t look like an easy 3 points anymore.
Champions League Match Day 3
October 19, Sunday – Queens Park Rangers (Away)
October 22. Wednesday – Real Madrid (Home)
October 25. Saturday – Hull City (Home)
The much awaited visit of the mighty Real Madrid is a day that will be marked on calendars in Liverpool fan households across the globe. However before entertaining the reigning European champs, Liverpool have to travel to London to play newly promoted Queens Park Rangers. Harry Redknapp has reminded Liverpool often times that he is not someone to be taken for granted, A stubborn defensive game at Loftus Road awaits the Reds before the visit of Madrid. Arguably, one of the most awaited games of the champions league – Liverpool and Real Madrid have played out some classics in the past. However, The strength of defending champs simply outweighs everything the Reds can put on paper. Although leave it Rodgers to pull an absolute rabbit out of a hat if necessary. If the game against Madrid would not drained everything out of Liverpool, the visit of Hull City who have been absolutely splendid in the transfer window will mean that Liverpool have no rest and they dare not take anything lightly. The game against Hull will round up the first leg of Champions League’s Group fixtures.