With pre-season now over, Liverpool head into August for the start of 2019/20, with the month ahead set to be a very busy one for Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
The Reds spent the last days of the summer with a streamlined squad put through their paces in Evian, after a seven-stop friendly schedule which brought three wins, three losses and a draw.
Now, they are set to play six competitive games this month across three competitions, with more silverware the target after a triumphant Champions League victory in June.
Here are all the key dates you need in your diary for Liverpool throughout August.
August 4 – The Community Shield
The Reds begin the campaign at Wembley, when they take on Man City in the Community Shield.
With City winning the domestic treble last season, Liverpool booked their place in the tie via their second-placed finish in the Premier League.
While it is effectively warmup game for both sides, Klopp and Pep Guardiola will both be eager to start 2019/20 with a trophy.
August 5 – Mane returns
The day after the Community Shield, Liverpool will be back in training at Melwood and, for the first time this summer, every player will have reported back.
With Senegal reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations—ultimately losing to Algeria—Sadio Mane‘s return for pre-season was delayed significantly.
But he is due back on August 5, with Klopp deeming his No. 10 as already being in “good shape” after a short break.
August 7 – The EFL Trophy
For the first time in the competition’s short history, Liverpool will enter the EFL Trophy this season.
The Reds’ under-21s will take on Oldham Athletic in their first group game on August 7, with Fleetwood Town and Accrington Stanley their next opponents.
The likes of Sepp van den Berg, Adam Lewis, Yasser Larouci and Ki-Jana Hoever could all feature against senior sides.
August 8 – Transfer deadline day
It has been a very quiet transfer window for Liverpool, with Van den Berg and Harvey Elliott the only additions at first-team level.
This is unlikely to change within the next week, but regardless, deadline day comes on August 8, with deals required to be completed by 5pm.
The Reds could well see a host of departures for fringe players between now and then, with Harry Wilson, Ovie Ejaria, Herbie Kane, Nat Phillips, Liam Millar, Pedro Chirivella and Ryan Kent all expected to leave.
August 9 – The Premier League opener
The new Premier League season begins under the lights at Anfield, as Norwich head to Merseyside on Friday night.
Liverpool take on their newly promoted opponents looking to set a marker for the campaign ahead, but will face a tough test against Daniel Farke’s Canaries.
After the Community Shield, the Reds will hopefully have found fluency going into this curtain-raiser.
August 10 – U23s and U18s kick off
Following the EFL Trophy clash, both of the Reds’ academy sides will be in league action on August 10.
The under-23s will aim to improve on their disappointing Premier League 2 campaign last time out when they take on Tottenham at Prenton Park at 2pm.
Before that, though, Barry Lewtas‘ new-look under-18s will visit Blackburn for an 11am kickoff.
August 14 – UEFA Super Cup
After lifting the European Cup in Madrid, Liverpool will contest the UEFA Super Cup against Europa League winners Chelsea in Istanbul.
Given both are English sides, the decision to push forward with the ‘final’ abroad has proved a controversial one, but the game will be played at Vodafone Park regardless.
French official Stephanie Frappart will become the first female to referee a major UEFA men’s game when she takes charge of the Reds first continental clash of the season.
August 17 – Southampton (A)
Three days after their trip to Turkey, Klopp’s side head to St Mary’s for their inaugural away game of 2019/20.
Last season, the Reds put three past Southampton in both league meetings: first, a 3-0 win at Anfield, and then a 3-1 victory on the road, with Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson all scoring in Hampshire.
Southampton have strengthened reasonably over the summer, with Moussa Djenepo and Che Adams joining Danny Ings to the south coast after his £20 million move from Liverpool was completed.
August 24 – Arsenal (H)
Liverpool’s first top-six clash of the Premier League season comes at home to Arsenal.
The Gunners have just announced the signing of Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe, who was reportedly on Klopp’s radar, but there remain understandable concerns over their back line.
Victory over Unai Emery’s side would be another big statement from the Reds, as they set their sights on the title.
August 29 – The Champions League draw
Finalists in 2018, winners in 2019; Liverpool have enjoyed great success in the Champions League under Klopp.
Now they are required to defend their throne, and will learn their opponents for the group stage on August 29.
The draw will be held in Monaco at 5pm (BST) on August 29, and the Reds are in Pot 1 along with Chelsea, Barcelona, Man City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, PSG and Zenit St. Petersburg.
August 31 – Burnley (A)
Finally, the month closes with a difficult trip to Turf Moor to take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
The Clarets have so far brought in Jay Rodriguez and Erik Pieters this summer, after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season.
In the same fixture in 2018/19, Liverpool won 3-1, through goals from James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri.
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