Liverpool go into the new season with renewed hope and reinstalled belief that the manager, Jurgen Klopp has put into the squad after reaching two cup finals under the German last season. Though the final league position meant that the reds won't feature in any European competition next campaign which may be beneficial for Klopp's men.
The 2016-17 Premier League is gearing up to be one of the best ever with the arrival of Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte in England. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Granit Xhaka and Ilkay Gundogan will surely take the league up a notch making it more competitive and interesting to watch. Along with the top teams, with the influx of money in the league, teams like West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Stoke too can give the big teams a run for their money.
Liverpool have done well this transfer window to go about their business early in the summer to bring in reinforcements. The weak links which were exposed last season have been upgraded to a large extent. Jurgen Klopp has done well on clearing the deadwood too, though more players could be on their way out.
The first addition to the squad was the young Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade who has impressed this preseason. Next, it was Schalke's Joel Matip who brings much-needed stability into the Liverpool backline. Loris Karius followed from Mainz who will replace Simon Mignolet as the Reds' no.1 keeper this campaign. Ragnar Klavan and Alex Manninger are brought in to provide cover for the first team squad.
The two most important signings for Liverpool came in the form of Sadio Mane from Southampton and Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle. Both of them have been bought for a hefty fee and were much needed in the team that Klopp is building which can be said to be reinventing itself in the Dortmund model under the German.
With no midweek action, Liverpool can concentrate just on the league games which is always a bonus for the team as the new players will get more days to train with the manager and get used to the intense training that Klopp undergoes. The team is gelling well as all the new signings are on the preseason tour with expectations set high for the 2016-17 season. So let's take a look at the round of fixtures the reds will go through month by month :
August to December
August
It couldn't have been more difficult as Liverpool have been given one of the toughest start to their campaign. For the first game of the season, the reds visit Emirates to face Arsenal which hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool as they have won just one out of their last 13 games. Then the Reds will play at Turf Moor for a game against newly promoted Burnley.
For the final game in August, the Reds visit White Hart Lane where Jurgen Klopp started his Liverpool career to face Spurs. These three games will end the action in August before the season's first international break arrives in September. Liverpool have done well away from home in recent times, so at least one victory over the London clubs won't be a shock.
September
After the break, the Reds welcome the league champions, Leicester City in what will be the first home game at the newly refurbished 54,000 seater Anfield. The Foxes have struggled against sides that keep possession and now with European duties, Leicester are going to struggle next season. This may be good for Liverpool as they will have faced last season's top three sides in the first four games of the 16-17 campaign.
Next up will be a visit to Stamford Bridge which promises to be a tough affair than the last time the two sides met at the Bridge which the Klopp's men won 3-1 rather easily. Now with Antonio Conte in charge, Chelsea would be far more organised and are proper title contenders next season.
Liverpool host Hull City next which appears to be less arduous and a sure shot victory considering the turmoil that the club is in under with the resignation of head coach, Steve Bruce and the ongoing tussle between the ownership and the fans. This tough start will determine how long the reds will go next campaign and with the talented squad at their disposal, Liverpool are going to surprise a lot of people.
October
The first test in October will be against Francesco Guidolin's Swansea who don't have a good record against the Reds at Liberty Stadium. Next up is the mouthwatering clash against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United which promises to be high intensity and a tough one for both the sides.
Liverpool face West Brom next which is an easy one after the facing United before travelling to London to face the team that has emerged to be the Reds' bogey team in recent years, Crystal Palace. This month seems to be a tricky one and if the reds could beat United and produce a result against Pardew's men, they can surely challenge for the top spots next season.
November
November seems to be relatively easy with just a trip to Southampton while welcoming Watford and Sunderland to Anfield. The Saints have been weakened with the departure of Ronald Koeman to Everton and also their best player in Sadio Mane. This promises to be not that difficult a test for Liverpool.
Walter Mazzari and David Moyes have taken over November's visitors and face a tough task to survive in the league next season. Moyes is a proven Premier League manager but will find it beyond his wits to beat this Liverpool side. These matches are must-win and anything other than nine points in November would be considered as an upset.
December
One of the most important months in a season is December which includes the highest number of fixtures because of the festive period. Many title challenges have faltered in this month and many have gone on to do bigger things when the team has done well in December. Because with the cup games and European obligations, other title contenders will find it tough in December whereas the reds can do well in the league as they have been given a favourable run in the festive time.
First, it is a visit to Eddie Howe's Bournemouth then the Hammers visit Anfield who are tricky opponents with the threat of Dimitri Payet looming over next season too. Middlesborough, the next away trip, should not be a tough one for the reds with the next game being the first Merseyside Derby which as always be a feisty fixture with Liverpool struggling at Goodison lately.
Stoke will be the next visitors before Manchester City come to Anfield. Pep Guardiola versus Jurgen Klopp has always been interesting and the second part of this epic battle will be interesting to watch as the reds have had an upper hand against Man City in the recent years. 12-15 points are a must this month and that is possible as except Man City and West Ham, all other fixtures are expected to fetch threw points for Jurgen Klopp.
January to May
January
The Stadium of Light will be the venue for Liverpool's first game of 2017. Next up will be Man United at Old Trafford which has not been such a happy hunting ground. Swansea City will visit Anfield next and the month of January is a tough month which appears not so difficult except the game against United but the reds have faltered against mid-table teams since long and Klopp must work on this issue as the Reds struggle against teams which sit back and soak all the pressure and attack on the counter.
February
Another tough month for Liverpool as they welcome Chelsea in what promises to be another topsy-turvy affair. The KC Stadium awaits the reds as they face Hull who beat Liverpool 3-1 when they last welcomed the side captained by Steven Gerrard.
Spurs next visit Anfield where they have a dreadful record which could continue next season as the Champions League could be a distraction for the London side. Liverpool face the Foxes next who beat them last season at their home, which is best remembered for a Jamie Vardy wonder goal. If the Reds avoid a defeat in this month, it will be a huge achievement and a perfect opportunity to finish high up in the table.
March
Arsenal visit the Reds and a game against Gunners has always turns out to be epic and 2017’s editions don't seem to be any different. This month features a couple of home games and can work as an advantage for the Reds. Burnley visit next who will probably be fighting for their survival come the end of the season.
Liverpool visit Manchester City which will provide another stern test to Liverpool's aspirations and is another month where going without a defeat would be the biggest task.
April
One of the busiest months of the season is on paper relatively the easiest for Liverpool. They face their local rivals, Everton first who have a miserable record at Anfield. The away trips this month include a trip to Stoke, Watford and West Brom which appear tough but positive results can be achieved because of the riches that the Reds possess in attack now.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace visit Anfield in the month of April in which even a loss can result in a long-term problem for the Reds as another season out of Europe will prove to be a total disaster. At least 15 points are a must this month which can result in pressuring the other clubs in the race not to falter along with European games for some.
May
May features three games which will mark the end of the next season which promises to be a blockbuster affair. Southampton come calling in the first week while the first Liverpool game in the Olympic stadium will happen in the second last week of the season.
The last match is a home game which is always favourable and the reds will face Middlesbrough who are one of the probable teams to find it tough in the Premier League. These teams cannot be ignored as they will be fighting for their lives to stay in the first division.
Predicted finish: Top Four
This is the best chance for Liverpool to get back into the top four as all the big clubs and probable title contenders have new managers at the helm who will take time to settle in. It is predicted that Leicester will see a decline in fortunes as they get used to the reality after their fairytale campaign.
Arsenal and Spurs will challenge too for the top four spots as usual and It is going to be a six-way race to the top with Liverpool predicted to finish in the top four with no European distractions and the manager, Jurgen Klopp getting all his targets so early in the transfer window.
The team is bonding well and is looking like a threatening unit with each passing day. This lot can play according to the German's demands and though talk of a title challenge seems to be a little premature, the Reds can definitely surprise many and achieve a top four finish in the 2016-17 season.
