International exploits, CL opener, PL travels & more – Liverpool FC’s September dates

• Scotland vs. Belgium (Sept. 9, 7.45pm)

A plethora of senior and youth players will ply their trade with their respective country this month, leaving Klopp and the Liverpool faithful hoping for nothing but clean bill of health upon their return.

The likes of Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gomez, Origi, Robertson, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Firmino and Lovren will all depart while Mane is set to remain on Merseyside.

Xherdan Shaqiri “decided to focus fully on his club” instead of linking up with Switzerland, meanwhile, Naby Keita and Alisson will continue to undergo treatment for their respective injuries.

September 8 – Liverpool FC Women’s Season Opener

Vicky Jepson’s side will begin their Women’s Super League 1 campaign when they face off against Reading at Tranmere’s Prenton Park, with league meetings with Tottenham and Manchester United rounding off the month.

Liverpool Women finished in eighth-place last term after a turbulent campaign on and off the field, but there is cause for optimism for the season ahead.

Becky Jane, Melissa Lawley and Jade Bailey were all added to the ranks alongside several existing players extending their contracts, while Niamh Fahey was appointed vice-captain over the summer.

September 14 – Newcastle (H)

Liverpool’s first match up following the conclusion of the international break sees Steve Bruce’s side make the trip to Anfield, where the Reds will be aiming to extend their winning streak to five.

A lot has changed for the two teams since they last met in early May, with Rafa Benitez no longer at the helm on Tyneside while the Reds are current European champions.

The Magpies finished last season in 13th place and have a record of one win, a draw and two defeats so far this term, with a win over Tottenham their standout moment thus far.

September 17 – Opening Champions League Group game

Liverpool’s defence of their Champions League crown will get underway with a visit to Italy to meet up with a familiar foe in Serie A outfit Napoli.

The Reds met Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the group stages last season with a win apiece, while successive pre-season meetings in 2018 and 2019 also reaped a similar return.

Having been boosted by the arrivals of Kostas Manolas and Hirving Lozano, it will be a tough opening game for Klopp’s side, but they will no doubt be eager to put in a much-improved performance at the Stadio San Paolo following last season’s 1-0 defeat.

With the UEFA Youth League replicating the Champions League draw, Barry Lewtas’ under-19 side will similarly kick off their campaign on the same day against the Italian side.

September 22 – Chelsea (A)

The third of five away fixtures this month sees the Reds make the trip to the capital five days after their European exploits and merely three before their opening League Cup tie.

The Blues, meanwhile, have an identical lead up regarding the number of days of rest prior to this fixture as they will host Valencia in their first Champions League game of the season on the Tuesday.

A win is already on the board against Chelsea from the Super Cup triumph in Istanbul, where the identical fixture last season required a stunning Daniel Sturridge strike at the death to secure a 1-1 draw.

September 25 – League Cup Third Round

Liverpool will face off against League One side MK Dons for the first time in history when they make the trip to Stadium MK.

Although Klopp guided Liverpool to the final and semi-final in his first two seasons in charge respectively, the Reds have since failed to progress past this round in the last two seasons.

With three games in eight days prior to this fixture, Klopp is likely to rotate his squad which could see several youngsters like Rhian Brewster, Ki-Jana Hoever and Harvey Elliott handed a spot in the team.

September 25 – The EFL Trophy

While the seniors take part in their own League Cup, the second of three EFL Trophy matches will see the Reds’ under-21s meet League One outfit Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium.

Neil Critchley’s side fell to an agonising 3-2 defeat to Oldham in their opening game, with Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams’ goals not enough as some sloppy defending proved costly.

If they are to progress out of their group the young Reds need to put points on the board before their meeting with Accrington Stanley in October, but as abovementioned they could be without a number of their stars due to their involvement with the first team.

September 28 – Sheffield United (A)

Finally, the Reds will round out the month with their first visit to Bramall Lane since 2006 where they will meet Chris Wilder’s newly-promoted outfit.

The Blades secured automatic promotion after finishing in 2nd place in the Championship last season and have so far proved to be a tough opposition side to face.

Liverpool has come head-to-head with Sheffield United a total of 136 times, with the Reds emerging as victors on 60 occasions, while the two teams could not be separated in a further 31 games.