Liverpool head into October having won just once in six outings in the last month, as Jurgen Klopp pushes for a more positive stretch of results.
The Reds made an excellent start to the season, sealing progress to the Champions League by defeating Hoffenheim over two legs and producing a scintillating win over Arsenal.
But after going unbeaten in August, Klopp’s side were unable to preserve their form in September, beginning with a miserable 5-0 loss to Man City and ending with a 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow.
Liverpool also suffered defeat at the first time of asking in the League Cup, with a clinical Leicester City underlining the problems plaguing a profligate Reds attack at present.
With his side taking to the field five times over the next month, however, Klopp will be eager to iron out his issues on Merseyside.
Here’s what to expect from Liverpool’s first team, U23s and U18s in October.
First-Team Fixtures & TV Info
- Newcastle United (A) – Premier League – October 1, 4.30pm – Sky Sports
- Man United (H) – Premier League – October 14, 12.30pm – Sky Sports
- Maribor (A) – Champions League – October 17, 7.45pm – BT Sport
- Tottenham (A) – Premier League – October 22, 4pm – Sky Sports
- Huddersfield Town (H) – Premier League – October 28, 3pm – Not on UK TV
Form Guide & Talking Points
Last 10 Games (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-L-D-D-L-W-D
After an emphatic start to the season, bookended by the sensational victory over Arsenal at Anfield, the Reds have endured a relentlessly dismal run.
Since producing one of their finest performances under Klopp to date against the Gunners, Liverpool’s only win has come, by fortuitous circumstances, away to Leicester in the league.
Klopp’s side have performed well on the whole, but errors at the back and poor finishing up top have undermined their progress, with work to be done at both ends of the pitch.
October provides Liverpool with five opportunities to put their training into practice, and two fixtures in particular could be key: at home to Man United and away to Tottenham.
So far against their top-six rivals this season, the Reds have won one and lost one, and victories in the big games over the next month could prove pivotal.
There is, however, the small matter of the second international break of the season to come after the trip to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Klopp will see the majority of his squad depart for World Cup qualifiers and youth fixtures, with 26 players leaving Merseyside to represent their respective countries.
Those remaining behind, though, can look forward to some key time working alongside the German at Melwood.
The likes of Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Alberto Moreno and Lazar Markovic are staying in Liverpool, and Klopp can use the time on the training field to continue his preparations.
A lack of bodies could well provide some of Neil Critchley and Steven Gerrard‘s youngsters an opportunity with the first-team squad, too.
Liverpool U23s
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-D
- Huddersfield Town (A) – Friendly – October 7, 1pm – Not on UK TV
- Derby County (A) – Premier League 2 – October 16, 7pm – Not on UK TV
- Man United (A) – Premier League 2 – October 23, 7pm – LFCTV
- Leicester City (H) – Premier League 2 – October 29, 1pm – LFCTV
After eight competitive games in the first two months of the season, Critchley’s U23s remain unbeaten.
This has included six wins in six in Premier League 2, with the young Reds sitting top of the table having scored 14 goals and conceded just three, striking great form early on.
While a mixed group fared less well at Charlton Athletic in the Premier League Cup on September 29, the U23s can expect to continue their excellent run into October.
All eyes will be on the trip to take on United towards the end of the month, with the LFCTV cameras giving the likes of Ovie Ejaria, Yan Dhanda and Harry Wilson the chance to impress.
After returning from injury, Wilson has already scored six goals in five games for Critchley, and the young Welshman will have set his sights on a promotion to first-team level shortly.
Liverpool U19s & U18s
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): D-W-W-W-L
- Maribor (A) – UEFA Youth League – October 17, 12pm – Not on UK TV
- West Brom (H) – U18 Premier League – October 21, 11am – LFCTV
Gerrard will take charge of only two games in October, and they will likely be completely different challenges.
Firstly, the 37-year-old will lead the U19s out against Maribor in the UEFA Youth League, having beaten Sevilla and lost to Spartak Moscow in their previous outings in Europe.
Ben Woodburn captained Gerrard’s side in both of those fixtures, and the prodigious young talent could be called upon again for the trip to Slovenia, as his all-round development continues.
Welcoming West Brom to Kirkby for the only U18 Premier League clash of the month could see the likes of Edvard Tagseth, Liam Millar and Curtis Jones take to the fore, instead.
Jones has been in sparkling form already this season, scoring three and assisting one in five games in the league and notching twice in two games for the U19s.
Gerrard has described Jones as “a top, top talent,” and the 16-year-old midfielder can hope to prolong his eye-catching run into October.
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