After a very productive August, Liverpool head into September looking to continue progress in the Premier League and Champions League.
The Reds sealed their place among Europe’s elite with a two-legged play-off win over Hoffenheim, drawn against Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and Maribor in the group stage.
In the Premier League, a sensational 4-0 win at home to Arsenal capped a positive start to the season, having defeated Crystal Palace and drawn away to Watford.
After a summer transfer window that saw Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke arrive, and Naby Keita lined up for next year, Jurgen Klopp‘s side can look forward with optimism.
Here’s what to expect from Liverpool’s first team, U23s and U18s in September.
First-Team Fixtures & TV Info
- Man City (A) – Premier League – September 9, 12.30pm – Sky Sports
- Sevilla (H) – Champions League – September 13, 7.45pm – BT Sport
- Burnley (H) – Premier League – September 16, 3pm – Not on UK TV
- Leicester (A) – League Cup – September 19, 7.45pm – Sky Sports
- Leicester (A) – Premier League – September 23, 5.30pm – BT Sport
- Spartak (A) – Champions League – September 26, 7.45pm – BT Sport
Form Guide & Talking Points
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): D-W-W-W-W
An excellent start to the season has given Klopp’s side a springboard to push forward in September, with a return to the Champions League headlining a busy six-game stretch.
Firstly, however, there is the small matter of a trip to take on Pep Guardiola’s Man City, who head into their first top-four clash of the season in reasonable form.
Having thrashed Arsenal at Anfield last time out, Liverpool can head to the Etihad Stadium confident that, if they perform, they can secure another big victory in the Premier League.
After a comprehensive win away to Brighton, City struggled to impose themselves against both Everton and Bournemouth, so the Reds could even find themselves favourites in Manchester.
In the Champions League, a home clash with Sevilla will provide Liverpool with an opportunity to take revenge for their Europa League final defeat in 2016, while a 2,109-mile trip to Spartak Moscow serves as a test of their fortitude on the road.
Back-to-back clashes with Leicester in the League Cup third round and the league will be an interesting challenge, too, as the Reds look to thrive on three fronts this month.
The addition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on deadline day provides Klopp with a useful option to navigate this busy schedule, with the England international able to operate in a variety of roles.
However, the failure to sign either Virgil van Dijk or Thomas Lemar in the closing stages of the summer window does leave Liverpool lacking in two areas, and it will be interesting to see how they cope.
Without Van Dijk, Klopp will hoping for further improvement from his defence as, despite keeping clean sheets against both Palace and Arsenal, there remain clear issues at back.
But with the German’s attacking triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino scoring nine and assisting six between them in August, he can look for more of the same up front.
With the Reds fending off Barcelona throughout the summer, Klopp can now look to reintegrate Philippe Coutinho, too, and the Brazilian could make his return to the fold in September.
Liverpool U23s
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): L-W-L-W-W
- Fleetwood Town (A) – Senior Cup final – September 1, 7.30pm – LFCTV
- Man City (H) – Premier League 2 – September 10, 2pm – LFCTV
- West Ham (A) – Premier League 2 – September 18, 7pm – LFCTV
- Spurs (H) – Premier League 2 – September 24, 1pm – Not on UK TV
Under the guidance of Neil Critchley, who stepped up from his role as U18s manager this summer, the Liverpool U23s have kicked off 2017/18 in style.
While they suffered friendly defeats to TNS and FC Nordsjaelland in August, Critchley’s charges sealed three victories in Premier League 2, including a barnstorming late win away to Arsenal.
Critchley has so far fielded a settled back line, marshalled by the promising Kamil Grabara in goal, but it is the performances of Matty Virtue and Rhian Brewster that have caught the eye.
Both scored twice and assisted twice in three appearances last month, with Brewster averaging a direct goal contribution every 53 minutes after making a swift recovery from a broken foot.
The U23s will be looking to continue their progress in September, beginning with last season’s delayed Senior Cup final clash with Fleetwood Town, before taking on Man City, West Ham and Tottenham in the league.
Liverpool U18s
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): W-L-D-W-D
- Stoke (A) – U18 Premier League – September 9, 11am – Not on UK TV
- Boro (H) – U18 Premier League – September 16, 12.30pm – Not on UK TV
- Everton (H) – U18 Premier League – September 22, 7pm – LFCTV
- Wolves (A) – U18 Premier League – September 30, 11am – Not on UK TV
Steven Gerrard‘s U18s have enjoyed a fruitful start to the season, unbeaten in the U18 Premier League after draws with Derby County and Newcastle United and a victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The Reds legend has a strong squad to call upon, with Glen McAuley in fine form up front, Liam Coyle shining in the captain’s role and new signing Edvard Tagseth making a strong impression.
The U18s face a tough September run, including the first Merseyside derby of the season at home to Everton, with the LFCTV cameras providing Gerrard’s side another opportunity to showcase their talents.
Having scored six goals in three games so far, the young Reds can look for more of the same in the final third, but will be hoping to improve at the back, having conceded five.
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