LIVERPOOL HANDED NIGHTMARE RUN THAT IMPACTS PREMIER LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAM

Liverpool have been given a tough run of fixtures after their Champions League draw was announced - having to play Real Madrid and Manchester City in back-to-back games.

The Reds are hoping to battle for honours on multiple fronts under new boss Arne Slot this season but the quality of their squad will be tested after handed a tricky run that will see them play a number of top teams in quick succession both domestically and in Europe.

Liverpool's first Champions League game is a difficult trip to AC Milan on September 17 before facing Bologna at home on October 2. Their first challenging run will be a period that sees them play Chelsea at home on October 19 before travelling to RB Leipzig just four days later, followed by a trip to title rivals Arsenal on October 27.

Slot's side then welcome Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen - who went a whole season unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season - to Anfield on November 5, three days after a home clash against Aston Villa.

Their next home Champions League game is against Madrid on November 27, with a huge Premier League title clash against rivals Man City coming just three days after that.

The following week, the Reds then travel up north to play Newcastle away from home and then face Everton in the Merseyside derby in the space of three days - and then travel to Girona 72 hours later on December 10.

Liverpool will feature in the new-look Champions League with a brand new format that sees 36 teams pitted against each other in a single league competition, with clubs no longer playing each team twice in eight groups of four.

The new format is aimed at allowing clubs to come up against a wider range of teams, with a higher prospect of fans seeing big sides face each other in the early stages.

Despite being pitted against some tough sides in the Champions League, Slot chose to remain upbeat on Liverpool's chances after giving his reaction to the draw.

"The first thing to say is it is a very challenging draw but also a very exciting one and more important than anything, we are part of it – which means there is a lot to look forward to and also a lot of work to be done.

"There will be a lot of focus on the fixture against Real Madrid at Anfield, and rightly so because they are the holders of the competition, but at the same time there is so much quality among our other opponents that we will spread our attention evenly and take each game as it comes.

"For now, we will look forward and, as I said, keep working because there are a lot of games to come in the Premier League and in the Champions League, and the only way to approach them is one at a time."

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2024-08-31T15:41:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd