Liverpool face fixture nightmare as Arne Slot transfer decision pays off already

Liverpool are in for a chaotic run of Premier League and Champions League fixtures later this year. The Reds’ European schedule was confirmed on Saturday with eight league phase fixtures awaiting Arne Slot and co.

Liverpool previously played six group games but will now play eight thanks to UEFA’s new format with four at Anfield and four away from home, between September 17 and January 29. And those matches being factored into their Premier League calendar have set up a scary streak for Slot and his players.

It starts after the international break in October. After hosting Chelsea at 5.30pm on Saturday 19th, a trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig on the Wednesday awaits. Another away match sees Liverpool face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday 27th (4.30pm).

Following that, the Merseyside club could have a Carabao Cup fourth round match to play. They take on West Ham in the third round on home soil later this month.

Regardless of whether they play in the cup or not, the Reds then have three successive high-profile fixtures at Anfield to come at the start of November. Sandwiched between league contests against Brighton and Aston Villa is the visit of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the European Cup.

After that comes the November international break, which is immediately followed by a trip to St Mary’s to take on newly-promoted Southampton who have so far struggled on their top-flight return.

Then begins a four-match streak that could go a long way to defining Slot’s first campaign at Anfield. Real Madrid visit L4 in a mouth-watering Champions League league phase match on Wednesday 27 November.

The following weekend, likely on the Sunday, four-in-a-row Premier League champions Manchester City come to Anfield. That fixture has proven a titanic tussle in recent years. This will be the first time it has not been Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola since March 2016.

It doesn’t get any easier the next midweek with a league trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle, who are formidable at home. And the Merseyside derby is the next domestic match just days later as Slot gets his first experience of facing Everton, at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s sixth Champions League game of the league phase comes against Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season, over in Spain. By then the Reds will have a good idea of what they need to qualify for the tournament’s round of 16.

Looking at such a run, Slot will be delighted that the club took the decision to sign Federico Chiesa – whose stocks have fallen in recent seasons after an ACL injury – from Juventus. With Liverpool hopeful of keeping the Italian attacker fit and helping him rediscover his best form, he adds a sixth high-quality option to the squad.

The Dutch coach also has Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo to pick from for his forward line. All should see ample minutes over the coming months given the club’s hectic calendar.

The £10million Chiesa could prove the ideal buy given he can play in multiple positions, and can help offer extra rest to the likes of Salah and Diaz out wide in particular. He will help ensure Liverpool can rotate their attack, while still naming a dangerous front three, across the winter as fatigue sets in.

With Liverpool shorter on options in central midfield, however, Slot’s renowned injury prevention specialist Ruben Peeters will need to work his magic for the club not to regret recruiting an out-and-out No.6 in their bid to compete for silverware.