Liverpool U23s fixtures announced with tough opening month in Premier League 2

Neil Critchley‘s Liverpool U23s will play both Tottenham and Man City in the first month of the season, with the Premier League 2 fixtures announced.

The young Reds finished second in Division 1 of the U23s league last season, just two points behind champions Arsenal despite a host of changes throughout the campaign.

Critchley is likely to preside over a much-altered squad again in 2018/19, with the likes of Kamil Grabara, Curtis Jones and Rafa Camacho considered for the first team and a clutch of players due to leave.

But he will be hoping for a bright start to the season, with the U23s kicking off their Premier League 2 challenge away to Brighton on August 10.

They will then play Spurs at Anfield on August 17 and City at the Etihad on August 24, with two high-profile clashes to be held at first-team stadia.

Liverpool’s opening Merseyside derby of the season will come away on November 25, but they won’t play rivals Man United following their relegation to Division 2.

Brighton took their place in the top tier, with Blackburn Rovers also securing promotion, and the young Reds take on Damien Johnson’s side at the Leyland FA County Ground on October 29.

Liverpool U23s Fixtures, 2018/19

August

• Brighton (A) – Friday 10, 7pm – Amex Training Centre
• Tottenham (H) – Friday 17, 7pm – Anfield
• Man City (A) – Friday 24, 7pm – Etihad Stadium

September

• West Ham (H) – Sunday 2, 1pm – Kirkby Academy
• Swansea City (H) – Saturday 15, 3pm – Kirkby Academy
• Arsenal (A) – Friday 21, 7pm – Boreham Wood FC
• Chelsea (A) – Saturday 29, 12pm – Aldershot Town FC

October

• Derby County (H) – Sunday 21, 1pm – Kirkby Academy
• Blackburn (A) – Monday 29, 7pm – Leyland FA County Ground

November

• Leicester City (H) – Sunday 4, 1pm – Venue TBC
• Villarreal (H), PL International Cup – Wednesday 21, 7pm – Venue TBC
• Everton (A) – Sunday 25, 1pm – Venue TBC

December

• Hertha Berlin (H), PL International Cup – Wednesday 3, 7pm – Venue TBC
• Arsenal (H) – Sunday 9, 1pm – Venue TBC
• Swansea City (A) – Monday 17, 7pm – Landore Training Ground

January

• Tottenham (A) – Monday 7, 7pm – Lamex Stadium
• Brighton (H) – Monday 14, 7pm – Venue TBC
• Swansea City (H), PL International Cup – Thursday 24, 7pm – Venue TBC

February

• Man City (H) – Monday 4, 7pm – Venue TBC
• West Ham (A) – Monday 18, 7pm – Dagenham & Redbridge FC

March

• Everton (H) – Monday 4, 7pm – Anfield
• Derby County (A) – Monday 11, 7pm – Venue TBC

April

• Chelsea (H) – Monday 8, 7pm – Anfield
• Blackburn (H) – Monday 29, 7pm – Venue TBC
• Leicester City (A) – Date and venue TBC