Liverpool’s rejuvenated attack to be put to the test by Arsenal & PSG in November

November 1, 2018
Jack Lusby

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Premier League and top their Champions League group, and a busy November could help strengthen their grip in both.

The Reds ended October with a return to top form as they put four past both Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff City, after a difficult run that heralded just one win in five games.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both netted three apiece over those two victories, while Xherdan Shaqiri continued his fine form in support with his first competitive goal for the club.

But with the likes of Man City and Chelsea keeping up the pace in the league, and Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain bearing down on them in Europe, the pressure is on now to maintain this standard.

This month presents five more challenges for Jurgen Klopp‘s squad, while the academy sides find themselves in contrasting fortunes and the Liverpool FC Women look to build under new management.

Here’s what to expect from Liverpool’s first team, women, U23s, U19s and U18s this month.

First-Team Fixtures & TV Info

Arsenal (A) – Premier League – November 3, 5.30pm – BT Sport

Red Star (A) – Champions League – November 6, 5.55pm – BT Sport

Fulham (H) – Premier League – November 11, 12pm – BT Sport

Watford (A) – Premier League – November 24, 3pm – Not on UK TV

PSG (A) – Champions League – November 28, 8pm – BT Sport

Form Guide & Talking Points

Last 10 Games (All Competitions): W-W-W-L-D-L-D-W-W-W

Having weathered the storm of a congested run of seven games in 23 days, Klopp was able to preside over a more comfortable set of fixtures in the second half of October.

A marginal win at Huddersfield Town was followed by thrashing Red Star and Cardiff, with the manager able to experiment in an effort to restore his side’s potency.

Klopp’s new 4-2-3-1 formation allowed the Reds to return to top form in the final two games of last month, with Fabinho excelling in his first starts in the Premier League and Champions League.

Fielding another new signing, Shaqiri, from kickoff against Red Star, and then replacing the ineffective Adam Lallana in the win over Cardiff, loosened the shackles on the likes of Salah and Mane.

With clashes with Arsenal and PSG to come the hope is that Liverpool can continue to marry their defensive solidity with a rejuvenated attacking prowess in more high-profile games.

Again, however, they will be forced to contend with another international break, with the majority of Klopp’s squad likely to depart after the visit of Fulham on November 11.

The Reds have turned around their post-international form of late, but with a trip to an impressive Watford side to come after this month’s break it will certainly be tough.

Either way, injuries to Salah, Mane and Naby Keita while on duty last month served to highlight the difficulties Klopp and his medical staff face during these periods.

Liverpool came to an agreement with the Netherlands for Virgil van Dijk to return early, and Ronald Koeman subsequently rested Gini Wijnaldum too, so hopefully more sensible decisions can benefit the squad.

Liverpool U23s

Last 10 Games (All Competitions): D-D-D-L-W-L-W-L-L-L

Leicester (H) – Premier League 2 – November 3, 3pm – Not on UK TV

Burnley (H) – Premier League Cup – November 11, 1pm – Not on UK TV

Villarreal (H) – PL International Cup – November 21, 7pm – LFCTV

Everton (A) – Premier League 2 – November 25, 1pm – LFCTV

Nine games into the Premier League 2 campaign, and Neil Critchley‘s U23s are experiencing something of a crisis.

The young Reds have won just twice in the league, drawing three and losing four, and sit ninth in the table—just three points above the relegation zone.

In all competitions, they have lost each of their last three games, including a frustrating 2-1 loss to Blackburn last time out, despite a strong side taking to the field in Lancashire.

As ever, Critchley is required to manage his squad in line with Klopp’s first-team sessions, but he can expect more from the likes of Pedro Chirivella, Matty Virtue and Bobby Adekanye.

November begins with a league clash with Leicester, but the marquee fixtures come against Villarreal in the Premier League International Cup and Everton in the league after the international break.

Defeat in the mini-derby would only hammer home the difficulties the U23s are facing after a summer of change.

Liverpool U19s & U18s

Last 10 Games (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-W-W-D-W-W-W

Everton (H) – U18 Premier League – November 1, 7pm – LFCTV

Red Star (A) – UEFA Youth League – November 6, 1pm – LFCTV

Reading (H) – Premier League Cup – November 10, 11am – LFCTV

Derby (H) – U18 Premier League – November 23, 7pm – LFCTV

PSG (A) – UEFA Youth League – November 28, 2pm – LFCTV

Starkly contrasting with their older counterparts, Barry Lewtas‘ U18s have been in sensational form this season so far, while his U19s have also shone in Europe.

Lewtas is unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, with nine of those being victories, and his young Reds sit second in the U18 Premier League, behind Everton with a game in hand.

The two Merseyside clubs meet in domestic action on November 1, with Liverpool able to make up valuable ground with a win over their rivals at Kirkby.

They should be led out by an in-form Liverpudlian in Paul Glatzel, who will join another local lad, Bobby Duncan, as they aim to continue their excellent form up front.

In the UEFA Youth League, Lewtas can blend experience with potential in away clashes with Red Star and PSG, as they bid to secure their place in the last 16.

Liverpool FC Women

Last 5 Games (All Competitions): W-L-W-W-L

Man City (H) – WSL – November 4, 2pm – Not on UK TV

Bristol City (A) – WSL – November 17, 3pm – Not on UK TV

Birmingham City (H) – WSL – November 25, 2pm – Not on UK TV

After a tumultuous start to the season, the Liverpool FC Women can look for a settled run of form under the management of Vicky Jepson.

Previously first-team coach, Jepson had been placed in interim charge alongside Chris Kirkland following the shock departure of Neil Redfearn, but she has now taken the reins permanently.

Since Redfearn’s exit, the Women have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes, winning four of their six games, and they were unfortunate to lose to Chelsea last time out.

First up in November is a difficult clash with second-placed Man City, and Jepson will be eager for her players to prove a point.