The 2024/25 season ushers in a new era for Liverpool fans. Arne Slot takes the Anfield helm from Jürgen Klopp, aiming to build upon the German’s remarkable legacy. With the Premier League fixtures for 2024/25 out, let’s see how they might impact Liverpool’s start under their new manager.
Liverpool 2024/25 Premier League Fixture Highlights
Slot’s first game in the dugout as Liverpool boss is an away trip on 17th August to Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys are back in the top flight after a 22-year absence, so they will be in high spirits to win the game. That said, Liverpool’s strong record against promoted sides leads us to believe that the visitors will be in pole position to bag the full points here.
After the lunchtime trip to Ipswich, Slot will make his home debut against Brentford, a week before he takes his team to Old Trafford. The former Feyenoord manager will face his compatriot Erik ten Hag in his third game in charge, with the duo standing in opposing dugouts to manage their teams in one of the most heated fixtures in the English top flight.
Liverpool, who are fresh off a third-place Premier League finish in Klopp’s swansong season, face a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on December 7th. The New Year starts with a home clash against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United on January 4th. Still, the biggest test lies in a brutal May schedule featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Crystal Palace.
Slot’s side face a tough away trip to Manchester City on February 22nd. This is followed by the second Merseyside derby of the campaign on April 2nd. To cap off the season, they have consecutive away and home fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal, before Crystal Palace round off the campaign at Anfield on the final day.
Can Liverpool Have A Strong Start to the Season?
These are the first six matches Liverpool will play in the 2024/25 season:
August
- 17: Ipswich (a)
- 24: Brentford (h)
- 31: Manchester United (a)
September
- 14: Nottingham Forest (h)
- 21: Bournemouth (h)
- 28: Wolves (a)
Liverpool appear to have been handed a kind start to their Premier League campaign, based on the average finishing positions of their opponents from last season. The Reds’ upcoming schedule features teams that finished with an average league position of just 14.8th in the previous term.
This presents Slot with a golden opportunity to hit the ground running at Anfield. However, a tall order awaits – can he replicate Klopp’s immediate impact, who transformed the club upon arriving from Borussia Dortmund in October 2015?
The German mastermind lost just one of his first six games, including a scintillating 4-1 demolition of Manchester City at the Etihad and a dominant 3-1 victory at Chelsea. Even a trip to White Hart Lane couldn’t faze the Reds, securing a hard-fought 0-0 draw. This impressive run yielded 11 points, a stark contrast to Brendan Rodgers’ meagre six points from his final six games.
Klopp’s first full season saw him replicate his early magic. Liverpool roared out of the blocks, losing just one of their opening six games once again.
This time, however, they upped their points tally to a formidable 13. Notably, seven of those points came against the traditional top six, with impressive victories over Arsenal, and Chelsea, and a 4-1 demolition of the reigning champions Leicester City at Anfield.
While translating Eredivisie success to the Premier League is a tricky proposition, Slot made a strong start at Feyenoord. He amassed 15 points from his opening six league fixtures, with just a solitary 3-1 defeat away at Utrecht blemishing his record. This impressive run even included a resounding 4-0 victory away at arch-rivals PSV.
Every single Premier League match is a big challenge, but right now, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to predict that Liverpool can squeeze out as much as 16 points from the available 18 in their first six Premier League 24/25 fixtures.
We have already explained that Liverpool’s strong record against newly promoted sides makes them favourites to win at Portman Road Stadium.
Liverpool fans can also find reasons for optimism in their recent record against upcoming opponents Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Reds have triumphed in four out of their last five meetings with each team. With this momentum in mind, Slot will undoubtedly be eyeing these fixtures as golden opportunities to pick up maximum points.
Manchester United have always been a tricky fixture for Liverpool, given the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs. Playing the Red Devils this early into his tenure might not be ideal for Slot, but United have not been at their best lately. They limped into an eighth-place finish last season and have been plagued by underwhelming performances.
However, a recent hoodoo at Old Trafford hangs over Liverpool. They fell short in both visits last season, losing a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup encounter and drawing 2-2 in the league. While the Reds have enjoyed some memorable victories against their arch-rivals on their turf under Klopp, Slot wouldn’t be heartbroken by securing a point on his Old Trafford baptism as Liverpool manager.
