Liverpool play five times across the Premier League and the Champions League in October, with high-stakes clashes bookending the international break.
After their 1-1 draw away to Chelsea at the end of September, the Reds remain firmly in the hunt in the league, level on points with leaders Man City.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side suffered their first defeat of the season last month, but that came after the manager made eight changes in the League Cup third round, highlighting his priorities.
Those largely remain in the league and in Europe, with those two competitions again the focus as autumn sets in and big games await.
October provides 13 opportunities to see various Reds sides in action, with the seniors’ clash with City in the league the standout fixture.
Here’s what to expect from Liverpool’s first team, women, U23s, U19s and U18s this month.
First-Team Fixtures & TV Info
- Napoli (A) – Champions League – October 3, 8pm – BT Sport
- Man City (H) – Premier League – October 7, 4.30pm – Sky Sports
- Huddersfield (A) – Premier League – October 20, 5.30pm – BT Sport
- Red Star Belgrade (H) – Champions League – October 24, 8pm – BT Sport
- Cardiff (H) – Premier League – October 27, 3pm – Not on TV TV
Form Guide & Talking Points
Last 10 Games (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-L-D
Daniel Sturridge‘s stunning late strike at Stamford Bridge served to reinforce Liverpool’s grit as they aim to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
Having looked set to suffer back-to-back losses to Chelsea, the Reds were able to carve out a result that ultimately felt more like a victory than a draw.
Their results against their rivals will be crucial, and next up in the league is the visit of City, who hold the top spot by virtue of their better goal difference, at +18.
After losing miserably at the Etihad 13 months ago, Liverpool have now recorded three consecutive victories to Pep Guardiola’s side—four including their 2-1 win in pre-season.
This will hopefully give them an edge when they take on City at Anfield, but momentum from their trip to Napoli in the Champions League could also be a factor.
Comfortably the two most high-profile opponents in October, these two results could be pivotal—though similarly, the Reds must perform against Huddersfield, Red Star and Cardiff to assert themselves as contenders.
The third month of the season also brings the second international break, and Klopp can expect the majority of his squad to depart for friendlies and qualifiers.
He could even see more call-ups than in September, with Sturridge’s excellent form as backup striker no doubt attracting interest from England manager Gareth Southgate.
Though he may not feel the same way, the hope will be that the 29-year-old is, in fact, overlooked, with Klopp praising Sturridge as currently being in the best shape of his tenure.
Liverpool made a big step forward by winning 2-1 at Tottenham after the September break, and with a trip to Huddersfield to come this time around, conditioning and concentration will be key.
Liverpool U23s
Last 10 Games (All Competitions): D-L-D-D-D-D-L-W-L-W
- West Brom (A) – Premier League Cup – October 7, 12.30pm – LFCTV
- Derby (H) – Premier League 2 – October 21, 1pm – LFCTV
- Blackburn (A) – Premier League 2 – October 29, 7pm – LFCTV GO
After a stuttering start, Neil Critchley‘s U23s are beginning to find form, ending September with a brilliant 3-1 victory away to Chelsea.
This came with the coach being able to select Kamil Grabara, Pedro Chirivella, Curtis Jones and Rafa Camacho, with the first-team quartet providing quality alongside the likes of Matty Virtue and Adam Lewis.
The fitness of Bobby Adekanye, who was stretchered off in the heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, is a major positive too, with the Dutch winger avoiding serious injury.
Adekanye has been one of the standouts this season, and as Critchley continues to negotiate Klopp’s plans for Jones and Camacho, these U23s staples are essential.
October brings the second Premier League Cup clash at West Brom, with the young Reds eyeing silverware as they find consistency in 2018.
Liverpool U19s & U18s
Last 10 Games (All Competitions): W-D-W-L-W-W-W-W-W-W
- Napoli (A) – UEFA Youth League – October 3, 1pm – BT Sport
- Man City (H) – U18 Premier League – October 6, 11am – LFCTV
- Wolves (A) – U18 Premier League – October 20, 12pm – Not on UK TV
- Red Star Belgrade (H) – UEFA Youth League – October 24, 3pm – TBC
Meanwhile, Barry Lewtas faces a decisive month as he leads the U19s in Europe and the U18s in their promising league challenge.
With UEFA Youth League fixtures mirroring those of the first team in the Champions League, this month sees the U19s face a tough test as they travel to Naples.
Speaking after their 5-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain to kick off their continental campaign, Lewtas described the UEFA Youth League as “vital to what we do at the academy.”
The U18 Premier League remains a formative competition, however, and so far Liverpool have struck impressive form on the domestic stage.
With a home clash with City to come before the international break, the likes of Rhys Williams, Paul Glatzel and Bobby Duncan will be looking to make their mark and keep up with Everton at the top.
Liverpool FC Women
Last 5 Games (All Competitions): L-L-D-W-L
- Yeovil (H) – Women’s Super League – October 14, 2pm – TBC
- West Ham (A) – Women’s Super League – October 21, 3pm – TBC
- Chelsea (A) – Women’s Super League – October 28, 2pm – TBC
It has been a turbulent start to the season for the new-look Liverpool FC Women, who have been forced to contend with losing manager Neil Redfearn after just two competitive games.
Redfearn’s resignation has seen Chris Kirkland and Vicky Jepson share duties in the dugout, and the latter did oversee their first win of the campaign away to Brighton.
A week later, however, and the Reds suffered defeat to Reading at Prenton Park, meaning they sit eighth in the 11-team Women’s Super League after three games.
Their next game isn’t until mid-October, but then the Women play Yeovil, West Ham and Chelsea all in the space of two weeks, and they will be desperate to find better form and turn things around.
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