Liverpool has some important Premier League fixtures coming up in the next few weeks, as Andoni Iraola looks to build on a first point in the opening game of the season
Andoni Iraola has some important games coming at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola has some important games coming at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
The Premier League is finally up and running, with Liverpool kickstarting the new era under Andoni Iraola with a valuable point away at Newcastle.
The Reds were far from their best, as goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock showed the vulnerability that exists in the team when defending counterattacks. Despite those setbacks, the visitors fought back twice as a strike from Cody Gakpo and a last-gasp penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai earned a draw for Iraola.
There is clearly work to be done, but it's a point that could prove important for Liverpool once the season plays out, while others have struggled to get up to speed with the Premier League on the opening weekend.
So, with that said, here's a look at the next five Liverpool games compared to its rivals in the division.
Liverpool's next 5 games
Nottingham Forest (H) — Premier League — August 29
Ipswich (A) — Premier League — September 4
Fulham (H) — Premier League — September 12
Bournemouth (A) — Premier League — September 20
Manchester City (H) — Premier League — October 11
Liverpool has a potentially favorable run coming up, with four games before the international break, and then a tough match to return to. Games against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich may create some challenges once again in defending transitions, with both teams likely to sit back and hit the Reds on the break. However, Iraola will back his side to have enough quality to pick up some victories along the way.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates his late equalizer for Liverpool at Newcastle
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates his late equalizer for Liverpool at Newcastle(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Fulham and Bournemouth produce their own challenges as established Premier League sides, particularly the latter, which will continue to play a high-pressing game model that Iraola installed into the team. Then there's a heavyweight clash with Manchester City, which could be a real benchmark for where Liverpool is at as a team, while the results of the matches before will determine just how important it could be within a wider context of the league and both new managers' job security.
Arsenal's next 5 games
Aston Villa (A) — Premier League — August 31
Chelsea (H) — Premier League — September 6
Sunderland (A) — Premier League — September 12
Brighton (A) — Premier League — September 19
Leeds (H) — Premier League — October 10
Arsenal has got off to a blistering start in the league after picking up a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry, where the side looked solid at the back and dangerous in attack. There will be bigger tests ahead, and the next five certainly provide that for Mikel Arteta. Tough away games at Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Brighton will provide challenges of their own. Home games against Chelsea and Leeds are bound to be competitive too, with it being a real test of Arsenal's credentials as champions.
Manchester City's next 5 games
Crystal Palace (A) — Premier League - August 28
Coventry (H) — Premier League - September 5
Manchester United (A) — Premier League - September 13
Sunderland (H) — Premier League - September 19
Liverpool (A) — Premier League - October 11
Manchester City left it late to turn around the opening game under Enzo Maresca, but the side managed to pick up a victory over Bournemouth. The side was far from convincing in the first match of the post-Pep era, with hopes that the side can stabilize in the coming matches. The former champions will be viewing clashes with Crystal Palace and Coventry as favorable ties, but it quickly switches to a tough few weeks with Manchester United, Sunderland, and Liverpool all following.
Manchester United's next 5 games
Ipswich (H) — Premier League — August 30
Everton (A) — Premier League — September 6
Manchester City (H) — Premier League — September 13
Fulham (A) — Premier League — September 20
Tottenham (H) — Premier League — October 10
Manchester United was handed a shock on its return to the Premier League, falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hull on the opening day. Michael Carrick will be keen to bounce back fast with a home clash against Ipswich, though matches away at Everton and at home to Manchester City and Tottenham could prove difficult.
Chelsea's next 5 games
Fulham (A) — Premier League — August 24
Luton (H) — EFL Cup — August 27
Brighton (H) — Premier League — August 30
Arsenal (A) — Premier League — September 6
Hull (H) — Premier League — September 12
Xabi Alonso is close to kickstarting his time as Chelsea manager, in what is set to be a busier August for the Blues than they will be used to. A West London derby gets his reign underway, before EFL Cup action against Luton, due to the side missing out on European football. Brighton and Arsenal will prove stern tests, before Chelsea look ahead to Hull, which remain a bit of an unknown quantity in the league at this stage.
Tottenham's next 5 games
Charlton (H) — EFL Cup — August 26
Newcastle (H) — Premier League — August 29
Nottingham Forest (A) — Premier League — September 5
Everton (H) — Premier League — September 12
Aston Villa (H) — Premier League — September 19
Tottenham was a side who received a surprise welcome back to the madness of the Premier League, as the side was picked apart by Brentford in a 3-0 defeat. After a large summer transfer splurge, Roberto De Zerbi has four home games in his next five matches to get his team back playing well and winning over the home fans once again. Charlton in the EFL Cup provides a test, with the side capable of grinding out results, while Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Aston Villa could all prove difficult to beat on their day.