Football

Do Liverpool have the most difficult month of fixtures ever?

April 1, 2022 10:55 am

Liverpool have a hugely significant month ahead. The Reds will play a total of eight matches in April as they continue to fight on all fronts.

Those eight matches include a home and away Champions League quarter-final, an FA Cup semi-final, and a Merseyside Derby. The club will also meet Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League.

Liverpool ready for challenging month

First up for Jurgen Klopp’s men is a league game against Watford on Saturday. The Hornets sit 18th in the Premier League table. While the match must not be taken for granted, the Liverpool boss may not go full strength.

That is because just three days later, the Reds travel to Portugal. They’ll take on Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. This is a game Klopp will not take lightly.

Benfica knocked out high-flying Ajax in the Round of 16. That came after the side secured second in Group E, behind Bayern Munich but ahead of Barcelona.

A convincing win in Portugal will not only give the Reds confidence going into the second leg at Anfield, but could also allow the manager to give some key players a rest.

Five days later, Liverpool travel to Man City in league action. The Premier League trophy is certainly still up for grabs, and many supporters believe this encounter will decide who will lift it at the end of the season.

Three days later, Benfica travel to Anfield for the second leg. Under the lights, the Reds are rarely beaten. The home support will be as key as ever, but will be hoping that a miraculous recovery is not necessary this time around.

And just three days after the European match, it is back to Pep Guardiola’s men. Wembley will play host to the FA Cup semi-final. Klopp has rotated his squad in the competition this season, but whether or not he does it for this crucial game remains to be seen.

Reuniting with old foes

A home tie with old rivals Man United then follows three days later. The Red Devils have somewhat fallen down the standings over the years, but this grudge match is about more than points.

The rivalry remains, with both sets of players well aware of just how much this game means to the fans. Given the huge run-in prior to this one, it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see some fresh faces given a chance in the starting XI.

Five days later, other rivals Everton come to Anfield. Struggling in and around the relegation zone, the Toffees will be desperate for a win. Their need for points may play into the favour of the home side.

And finally, Liverpool close the month with a trip to Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s men have improved massively in recent times. But the Reds will still be confident of having enough in their locker to leave St James’ with all three points.

Avoiding injuries will be key in this crucial period. The international break has certainly come at a good time for the Reds, with several players given a well-deserved rest before the final run-in.

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