Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City could be season-defining if it triggers a kickstart in their 2022/23 campaign after previously winning just two of their eight Premier League fixtures.
The Reds climbed up to eighth with that victory over the reigning champions, although they remain six points off the top four. Their poor start to the season, coupled with Arsenal ’s flying start, may well have already put them out of the title race as the Gunners sit 14 points ahead.
However, a favourable run of eight fixtures before the 2022 World Cup next month could completely turn things around for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the chance to still make something of their season very much alive.
The visit of 12th-placed West Ham on Wednesday is next up for the Reds as they aim for back-to-back victories in the Premier League for just the second time this season, as well as a third straight win at Anfield in all competitions.
The Hammers have won four of their last five in all competitions and are on a three-game unbeaten run in the top flight, with Sunday’s draw against Southampton following successive home victories over Wolves and Fulham. But with home advantage and an in-form Mohamed Salah on their side, the Reds are favourites heading into this fixture.
Following that up is Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, where nothing but a win against the bottom three sides would be acceptable. Liverpool should have far too much in the locker for their recently promoted hosts, even with a serious amount of injuries taking their toll on the squad.
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The Reds then take a break from domestic duties to return to European action as they travel to face Ajax in their penultimate Group A fixture in the Champions League next Wednesday. The Reds must simply avoid defeat to secure their progression into the knockout stages, meaning a strong lineup will be expected.
And Klopp may be able to afford taking that risk, with Leeds United next-up for Liverpool the following Saturday (October 29). The Whites are winless in the league since beating Chelsea in August, and the Reds would be expected to collect all three points against them at Anfield.
Napoli then visit Merseyside for their final Champions League Group A fixture on November 1, although with both sides likely to have already qualified for the next round by this point, a dead-rubber game could ensue. This would allow Klopp to prioritise some rotation, with a huge game in the league next up.
Liverpool travel to the capital on November 6 for another potentially season-defining game away to high-flyers Tottenham, who should still be well ahead of the Reds at this stage. Nonetheless, Klopp will need his best stars to be fit and firing for this game, but it will be their biggest test yet between now and the international break.
Three days after that showdown in north London, Liverpool host League One outfit Derby County in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup on November 9. Plenty of rotation will be expected, although the holders will be aiming to avoid any shock slip-ups to continue fighting on all fronts once more.
Finally, the Reds end with a home fixture against Southampton in the Premier League on November 12. Should things have gone to plan by this point, three points here could decide whether Liverpool will at least be in the top four going into the month-long break for the World Cup.
While the run of fixtures certainly looks favourable on paper, Klopp will have to do without striker Diogo Jota, who has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a "serious injury" against Man City on Sunday.
Liverpool’s next eight fixtures
Oct 19 - West Ham (H), 7:30pm - Premier League
Oct 22 - Nottingham Forest (A), 12:30pm - Premier League
Oct 26 - Ajax (A), 8pm - Champions League
Oct 29 - Leeds (H), 7:45pm - Premier League
Nov 1 - Napoli (H), 8pm - Champions League
Nov 6 - Tottenham (A), 4:30pm - Premier League
Nov 9 - Derby (H), 8pm - Carabao Cup
Nov 12 - Southampton (H), 3pm - Premier League
