Ten points from five very testing games to start the new Premier League season and Liverpool will full of confidence.
Despite Liverpool’s strong start to the season, they face some tricky opponents in their next five league games. Below we look at the Reds’ chances in the matches:
September 24th vs Hull (home)
The last time the two teams met in the league was in October 2014 when Steve Bruce’s team produced a brave back to the wall performance to stifle Liverpool’s attacking weapons and claim a 0-0 draw.
Bruce had a tremendous knack of getting results at Anfield no matter what team he took there. If Mike Phelan decides to remain in his role, expect him to contact his former Norwich and Man United teammate for a few tips.
Hull have caused Liverpool a number of headaches over the years. However, the Reds are in a very confident frame of mind at the moment and should claim the three points with a minimum of fuss
Prediction: Liverpool 2 – Hull City 0
October 1st vs Swansea (away)
Their clash at the Liberty Stadium in May saw Swansea run out 3-1 winners. To be fair to Liverpool, Klopp fielded a largely second string side as they were playing their Europa League semi final second leg tie against Villarreal a few days later. As Swansea proved against Chelsea last week they will not be easybeats in this fixture.
There are no European distractions for the Reds this time around and they should be too good for the Welsh club.
Prediction: Liverpool 3 – Swansea 1
October 18th vs Man United (home)
The prestige of this fixture needs no explaining despite hitting a flat point over the last couple of seasons, which culminated in a 1-0 win to Man United in January. It was a extremely dour contest that was settled by a late Wayne Rooney goal.
This time around there will be more spark attached with Jose Mourinho back at Anfield where he has mixed memories over the years. The slight caveat on this match is that it comes on the back of a international break and some players may be a little travel weary.
This match is always a passionate affair between the two rivals. It has extra spice attached with Mourinho taking charge of his United side for the first time at Anfield, but Liverpool always lift for the big games and will do so here.
Prediction: Liverpool 3 – Man United 1
October 23th vs West Brom (home)
Much like Steve Bruce, Tony Pulis has been a thorn in the side of Liverpool both home and away. Last year’s corresponding fixture was a fractious affair with Divock Origi scoring a injury time equaliser with Pulis and Klopp clashing numerous times with the German refusing to shake hands at the final whistle claiming it was a “not a friendly game”.
After the emotion of the clash against United, these are exactly the type of games which have tripped up the Reds in the past. Liverpool will have to dig very deep to claim the three points with a scrappy goal likely to prove the difference.
Prediction: Liverpool 1 – 0 West Brom
October 30th vs Crystal Palace (away)
When you mention “bogey grounds” Selhurst Park was one that used to send shudders through Liverpool fans. It was the ground where they officially threw away the title in 2014 conceding three late goals and a few months later, produced one of their most limp performances in many a season going down 3-1.
It looked more of the same when they met in March, falling behind to a Joe Ledley before late goals by Roberto Firmino and a very controversial penalty to Christian Benteke saw their first league win in South London for 19 years. With Benteke now on the opposite side no doubt he would love nothing more to haunt his former side.
Past history suggests that the Reds will drop points in this fixture.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2 – Liverpool 1
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