Liverpool Handed Tough Start To Title Defense

Manchester United host Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, while reigning champions Liverpool welcome Bournemouth at Anfield and Manchester City travel to Wolverhampton.

Having won the title in Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge, the Reds get the ball rolling on August 15 at 8pm (3pm ET) in the first Friday night football of the season.

Thomas Frank will make his debut as Tottenham manager the following day, when the Europa League holders host newly-promoted Burnley.

On the same day, fellow Premier League newcomers Sunderland host West Ham in their first match back in the top flight for eight years.

Leeds, the third team promoted last season, begin their campaign at home to Everton on Monday night at 8pm (3pm ET).

Also on Saturday, Newcastle travel to Aston Villa in the early kick-off at 12:30pm (7:30am ET), while City face Wolves at Molineux at 5:30pm (12:30pm ET) as they look to bounce back from finishing last season empty-handed.

The standout fixture of the opening weekend, however, is scheduled for the following day as a United side fresh from their worst season since 1974 host Arsenal at 4:30pm (11:30am ET).

Earlier on Sunday, Chelsea host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at 2pm (9am ET).

Everton’s first game at their brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium comes on August 23, when they host Brighton.

The Toffees’ debut in their new home is one of a number of standout fixtures on the second weekend of the Premier League season, which also includes Arsenal hosting Leeds and Tottenham travelling to face City.

Liverpool face tough start

On the same weekend, Liverpool face Newcastle at St. James’ Park and Chelsea travel to West Ham.

Liverpool’s start doesn’t get any easier, with Arsenal due at Anfield on the third weekend of the campaign, before the first international break.

The weekend of September 13-14 features the first Manchester derby of the season at the Etihad – the second is scheduled for January 17 – while Spurs travel to West Ham in another potentially combustible fixture.

A week after playing United, City travel to Arsenal on the same weekend Chelsea make the trip north to Old Trafford and Liverpool host Everton.

The second Merseyside derby of the season takes place on April 18, when the reigning champions visit the new Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time. Arsenal travel to Manchester City on the same weekend.

Of the three Premier League newcomers, Burnley face the hardest start to life in the top flight.

The Clarets face fellow newly-promoted sides Leeds and Sunderland in the first eight weeks, along with trips to Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Burnley also host Liverpool and Nottingham Forest over the period.

One of English football’s historic rivalries resumes when Leeds face Manchester United at Elland Road on January 3, with the reverse fixture set for April 11.

Meanwhile, the first Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League in almost a decade returns on December 13 when Sunderland host Newcastle, before they travel to St. James’ Park on March 21.

The weekend of October 18 brings the first meeting of the season between Liverpool and Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim taking his side to Anfield.

Liverpool travel to the Etihad on the weekend of November 8 and host City on the weekend of February 7.

An explosive run-in to the end the season

Elsewhere, the first North London derby of the season falls on November 22 when Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s men then travel to Tottenham on February 21.

The second meeting between United and Liverpool comes right in the middle of the run in, with the reigning champions visiting Old Trafford on May 2.

Slot’s men host Chelsea the following week, while City welcome Brentford and Arsenal travel across London to play West Ham.

On the final day of the season on May 24, Liverpool host Brentford, while Manchester City welcome Aston Villa in a repeat of the fixture on the closing day of the 2021-22 campaign.

Back then, City came back from two goals down to beat Villa 3-2 and deny Liverpool the title by a point.

On the same weekend, Arsenal and Manchester United are away to Crystal Palace and Brighton respectively, while Chelsea travel to Sunderland.

The upcoming Premier League season will be played over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, with all the fixtures kicking off simultaneously on the final weekend of the campaign.

Significantly, clubs will not be asked to play twice in less than 60 hours during the festive period, with no games at all on Boxing Day.

The transfer window re-opened on June 16 and will close on September 1 at 11pm (6pm ET), before opening again on January 1 and closing on February 2.