Even the most one-eyed Liverpool fan would have to admit that the beginning of the 22/23 season has been less than ideal. The Reds have lurched from one poor result to another, with just a sprinkling of good football separating the club from a full-blown meltdown.
Poor results against newly promoted Fulham, a chastening defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United and a whooping at the hands of Napoli, have been the lowlights so far. Nine goals against Bournemouth were the highlight. Last-minute victories against Newcastle and Ajax are the only other results of note.
There are plenty of reasons to explain Liverpool below average start to the season. Sadio Mane’s departure has definitely been felt. An injury crisis that savaged Jurgen Klopp’s midfield options has been another crutch for the Merseyside club to lean on. The most worrying theory out there for Merseyside reds is that Jurgen Klopp’s training methods have driven them to exhaustion. People speculate that this is an inevitable drop-off from their almost inhumane levels of seasons past.
If exhaustion is to be blamed for the Reds’ form, the month of October is sure to expose them. Liverpool plays nine games in October. Almost a match every three days.
I am not here to agree or disagree with the exhaustion theory. I am confident that the month of October will determine Liverpool’s trajectory this season.
LIVERPOOL’S HECTIC OCTOBER SCHEDULE
Liverpool’s hectic October will see them play five games at Anfield and four games away from home.
The Reds home games include fixtures against Rangers in the Champions League, high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City. The other two fixtures seem like winnable ones against Leeds and a struggling West Ham United.
Manchester City will lick their lips at the prospect of revenge for their Community Shield loss. City are the antithesis of Liverpool.
They have hit the ground running this season. Summer signing Erling Haaland is more than a generational striker. He is a once in a hundred years player. I am of the firm opinion that Manchester City can win the quadruple this season that Liverpool came so close to last season should Haaland stay fit.
Despite the Seagulls’ strong start to the season, a loss to them would still surprise. Without Graham Potter, I think Brighton will have a drop-off in form.
Rangers always step up their game in European competition, and form often goes out of the window when a ‘Battle of Britain’ occurs.
Their away games see them play early EPL pacesetters Arsenal at the Emirates, Ajax in Amsterdam and newly promoted Nottingham Forest. They also have a return fixture against Rangers in Ibrox. Arsenal will win the match at the Emirates if they continue the way they are playing right now. Arsenal is an irresistible force at the moment and is transforming from pretenders to contenders.
Ajax will be on a revenge mission after their last-minute loss at Anfield. The second spot in their Champions League group may be up for grabs, which will just add to their motivation. We have already touched on the anomaly that the clash with Rangers portends.
That leaves the clash with Nottingham Forest as a walk up three points. However, The Reds have already struggled against one promoted side this season.
STUEY’S TWO CENTS
October represents a feast or famine for Liverpool. There is the opportunity to gather some real momentum and get their season back on track. There is also the chance that their stuttering form continues and their season remains mired in disappointment heading into the World Cup.
That I am only confident of nine points from the nine fixtures on offer speaks to the worry that has spread throughout the fanbase during the early days of season 2022/23. Jeez, I hope I am way off the mark.
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He also co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.