It’s been a long wait to see Liverpool in action in the Premier League, but that stops on Saturday, with a relentless 42 days before the World Cup.
When Brighton arrive at Anfield on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp’s side will have played just once in the last 23 days after disruptions to the schedule following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
What has happened since then has seen a number of Reds play for their countries during the international break, while others used the time to recharge their batteries and recover from knocks.
It’s a period of time in which many hope to have a positive impact on Liverpool’s form, which has been inconsistent at best so far this season.
So here’s what we expect for the Reds’ return to action.
injuries to relieve
Injuries have not been kind to Liverpool so far this season, it has come one after another and wreaked havoc on the balance of Klopp’s team, and on our sanity.
Heading into the international break, the Reds had nine players out through injury: Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher, Calvin Ramsay, Kaide Gordon and Jordan Henderson.
The captain returned to England in a welcome boost, Konate and Jones are about to return and the hope is that Andy Robertson is not far behind either.
Their respective returns would make the team much more manageable, as Liverpool cannot risk overplaying those currently fit as it will only end up in a continual injury cycle.
Fortunately, however, Trent Alexander-Arnold did not play for England, Mo Salah was allowed to leave Egypt early and Thiago was not called up by the Spanish team.
non stop football
The word ruthless fits perfectly with what awaits Liverpool.
After 28 days without a league game, the longest gap since 1979, as reported by Opta’s Michael Reid, Klopp’s side will play eight times in the Premier League before the World Cup break.
When four Champions League games and one Carabao Cup game are factored in, the Reds will play 13 games in the space of 42 days, an average of one game every 3.2 days.
Every midweek and weekend will see Liverpool in action and Klopp may squirm a bit at the thought.
However, as a fan, it’s an exciting but harrowing prospect with this run of games to be deciders that the Reds will have to contend with on their post-Christmas comeback.
Rangers Double Title
For the first time in the club’s shared history, Liverpool and Rangers will meet in a competitive match when they meet in the Champions League on 4 and 12 October.
It sets up a couple of interesting games for Klopp’s team in Group A, decisive after taking a total of three points from the first two games against Napoli and Ajax.
Rangers are currently meaningless, but they put up a good fight against Napoli before succumbing to the pressure late on.
Ex-Reds Ryan Kent and Ben Davies are in the Rangers ranks and a reunion of sorts could be on the cards.
We look forward to these games!
An encounter with the city
If you feel a little scared in this case, you will not be alone.
Liverpool’s form hasn’t been overly inspiring, having dropped points four times to Man City’s two, but if there is any game to be excited about, this is it.
At the start of the season we identified the need for Liverpool to take more than four points off Pep Guardiola’s side each season and with the first game at Anfield on October 16, the time is right to start with three points.
It doesn’t look like we’re in the title race at this stage, but that can all change and the good results in the run up to this match will only serve to strengthen the resolve.
There will be a lot of nerves, but also optimism, the typical rollercoaster emotions as a Liverpool fan.
Ramsay’s first sight
Calvin Ramsay arrived in the summer, but sightings have been sporadic thanks to an injury that was identified during his first day of preseason.
“We found a small injury that the children, which he still has, have when they grow up,” Klopp explained as the club took a patient approach to his recovery.
However, before the break, the manager said the 19-year-old “is really getting closer and closer” and that he hopes he can make his full debut in training in the coming weeks.
Coaches and teammates have expressed a desire to finally see him on the pitch and as fans, they hope he will at least be ready for selection for Derby’s visit in the Carabao Cup on November 9.
It has been far from an ideal start at Anfield for the youngster, but he will no doubt have used the time off the pitch to watch and learn, and his presence can be invaluable at right-back as a substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
