Premier League 2018-19: 5 fixtures that could shape Liverpool's season

Amidst all the World Cup talk, the fixture list for the 2018-19 Premier League season was announced. It is a high point of interest for fans of clubs, maybe not right now, but when the season approaches.

It is highly important to have a favourable schedule in the championship race in England. It does play a part in a team's fortunes. In a favourable scenario, the big games would be evenly spread throughout the year and long away trips would ideally not come after European games.

A certain run of games could make or break a club's season - examples include Manchester United in December last season, and Arsenal during the season before. In 2013-14, Liverpool travelled to both Manchester City and Chelsea within the space of three days during the always busy festive period. Narrow losses in both games proved to be crucial in the eventual title race, as the Reds finished in second, two points behind City.

There are certain games over the course of the season which could shape up fortunes and determine how the season would go. It could be a game against rivals or at crucial points during the season. Liverpool are no different.

Their season could rest on the outcomes of a few games. For the title aspirations pictured by the Reds, they must be consistent and be a solid team with lots of character. But there are some games which are more important than others.

This list will not focus on rivalries so while games against Everton and Manchester United are the first to be sought out by Reds fans, they might not carry the consequences of the following fixtures.

#1 Liverpool vs West Ham United (11 August)

The first game of the season is always a very important one for every team. At the start of the season, everybody wants to get up and running. It sets the tone for what to expect for the rest of the season most of the time. In Liverpool's case, it happens more often than not. For seven consecutive seasons, Liverpool's opening game was an indicator for their season ahead.

From 2008 until 2014, the Reds won their opening game three times. They finished in the top four all three times. Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-3 away from home in their opening game in 2016-17, they finished one point ahead of the Gunners that season.

It is a big advantage that the opening fixture of the season is at home. There is no better way to start the season than a convincing win in front of the home supporters. It will also be key for the new signings to get off to a good start.

Naby Keita and Fabinho would be likely to start against West Ham and they will want to impress early on. This is a big opportunity for Liverpool to hit the ground running as history has suggested that their opening game decides the fate of their season.

#2 Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool (15 September)

After the first international break of the season, Liverpool will travel to Tottenham Hotspur's new White Hart Lane stadium. They will be the first ever visitors to the new stadium and will want to play the role of the spoilers.

Last season, the Reds got thrashed by a rampant Manchester City right after the first international break. After that, they won two games from nine in what was a rotten run of results for the Reds. While they recovered after it, the barren spell prevented a possible title challenge. Liverpool will want to modify that for the coming season.

Spurs will likely have a spring in their step about their new stadium and Liverpool will have to be wary of the threat of Harry Kane. As documented in previous years, Kane's season starts in September. However, if the Reds manage to stop the Tottenham train, it will be a huge boost in confidence.

It would also put a dampener on Spurs' season if they fail to celebrate their new stadium with a victory. This period is a very crucial one, and Liverpool will need to avoid any dry spells if they want to challenge for the league title.

#3 Liverpool vs Arsenal (29 December)

The Christmas period is always one of the most important stretches of the entire season. Every team plays three games in the space of one week and a slip up during that week could be highly detrimental to their progress and ambitions.

Liverpool's last opponents in the calendar year of 2018 are going to be Arsenal. An important factor is the fact that the Reds are playing at home. The tight schedule would not favour Arsenal in any way, giving Liverpool a chance to get one over the Gunners.

Getting maximum points over this busy period is a must and gives teams large boosts in confidence for the second half of the season. Liverpool could enter this period firmly in the title race, but leave it outside of the top four. It happened in 2013-14, as the Reds went from first to fifth between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

The season could end right there. Therefore, any opportunity for Liverpool to gain valuable points at the end of December must be taken especially when it is at the expense of another top six side.

#4 Manchester City vs Liverpool (1 January)

Following on from the importance of the Christmas period in the Premier League, Liverpool's first game of 2019 will carry a lot of importance over the course of the season. If the Reds are to challenge for the league title, they will have to thwart the reigning champions.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side broke records throughout the season as they ended with an unprecedented 100 points in the league. It could potentially come down to these two teams. This game will mark the end of the busiest period of the season and it could potentially have severe consequences.

Boxing Day 2013 saw Manchester City narrowly eek out a 2-1 victory over Liverpool and that win proved to make a bigger difference than earlier thought. The Citizens won the league by two points that season and a different result between the two teams at the Etihad could have changed a lot in 2013-14. A similar thing could happen this time as well.

It would come down to strength-in-depth, character and determination. Three things that Liverpool have been developing over the last few years. This game on New Year's Day could be a season-changing one for both sides.

#5 Liverpool vs Chelsea (13 April)

This game in mid-April is Liverpool's last game against any of the big six in the Premier League. It is important that the Reds score a win for many significant reasons. For Liverpool to mount a title challenge, they must make Anfield a fortress.

The Reds have done a good job at that in 2017-18, as they became the only Premier League side to remain unbeaten at home in the league. They must continue this in the following season. A late-season home win against a possible challenger is welcome for any high-aspiring side.

This could give Liverpool a good dose of momentum heading into the final stretch of the league season. A good end to the season is always helpful for any team, no matter what place they are aiming for. For Liverpool, it is crucial. They face smaller teams in their final four games and a positive result against Chelsea at Anfield would put them in a strong position to end the season strongly.

This looks to be a promising season for Jurgen Klopp's men as they are building towards becoming a more and more complete squad. The Premier League title now seems like an attainable goal for this bunch and they must win the crucial fixtures and stay consistent throughout the season. Optimism has never been this high at Anfield!

Edited by Zeeshan Ali