Liverpool’s season is beginning to slowly take shape as the Reds aim to tie up any last transfer business.
The Reds’ squad that heads into the autumn could still look different from the one which began the campaign, with one or two big additions still possible.
Just how good Liverpool are this season could rely on whether they get deals for Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi over the line in the next couple of days.
David Ornstein provided a positive update on Isak on Saturday afternoon, while Liverpool are still hoping for Guehi to join as well.
Once again aiming to compete in the latter stages of the Champions League this season, signing both would be a big boost to Liverpool’s chances of winning the whole thing.
Before they can think of glory in Budapest next May, though, they must navigate eight difficult group stage fixtures. And after Liverpool’s opponents were revealed on Thursday, the order in which the Reds will play them has now been announced, and it may make for difficult reading.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Liverpool play Real Madrid and Man City back-to-back
One of the key weeks of Liverpool’s season in 2024/25 was when they faced then European champions Real Madrid and reigning Premier League winners Man City in the space of four days.
With both games being played at Anfield, Liverpool barely broke a sweat to come out with two comfortable 2-0 wins.
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It was the point at which many sat up and started to take Arne Slot and his team seriously as potential challengers.
READ MORE: Spanish media already pushing ‘narrative’ about former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid
As it happens, Liverpool will get the chance to do the exact same thing – at virtually the same stage of the season – one year on.
With the dates of the eight Champions League games revealed, Liverpool will play Madrid on November 4th at Anfield, four days before facing Man City at the Etihad Stadium,
If that were not challenging enough for the Reds, they also face Aston Villa at Anfield in a tricky-looking Premier League clash just before the Madrid match-up.
It remains to be seen what kind of position Liverpool will be in when these three big games roll around, but it is sure to be a key week in deciding the mood music of the season.
What about the other big games?
Of Liverpool’s eight Champions League fixtures, the matches against Atletico Madrid, Inter and potentially the long trip to face Galatasaray in Istanbul stand out as being the most difficult, along with the Real game.
Liverpool will play Atletico in the first game, on Wednesday September 17th, three days on from playing Burnley away and just three before the first Merseyside Derby of the season at Anfield.
Galatasaray are next up for the Reds, and the trip to Turkey is sandwiched in between a visit to Crystal Palace and then to Chelsea. Three difficult away games in one week for Liverpool.
Finally, Inter come on matchday six, just after the Reds’ journey to Elland Road, and before a home game with Brighton.
Lots for supporters to look forward to as they aim for another successful season on the continent.