Twitter Reacts to Liverpool's Daunting Early Premier League Fixture Run

The 2015-16 Premier League season is still 52 days away, but fans were reminded of the English top flight's omnipresence on Wednesday morning with the release of the fixtures. As the minutes ticked closer to the big reveal, many were more impatient and excited than Homer Simpson missing a chili cookoff:

When the tidings of #FixtureReleaseDay were finally unveiled, it appeared to be good news for Stoke City fans, who could look forward to the prospect of entertaining the team they demolished 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium at the conclusion of the 2014-15 campaign:

The big losers, however, appeared to be Liverpool. In addition to a tricky date with the Potters, Brendan Rodgers' charges first six away games will include the Premier League's top five and a visit across town to Goodison Park. Twitter found this cruel scheduling hilarious, because the Internet:

"

Stoke away in the first game. Great, earliest possible opportunity to get the 6-1 out of our system. #LFCfixtures

— johnmc72 (@johnmc72) June 17, 2015"

"

Reaction to #Liverpool's first 7 away fixtures next season #lfc #wwe 😂 http://t.co/YXlpm4ANqV https://t.co/YMms10jkKi

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 17, 2015"

Predictably, there were plenty of memes and jokes aimed at Liverpool's manager:

"

The Premier League to Liverpool after their fixtures https://t.co/OgZN2XKwr5

— Jude (@ManWhoWentToMow) June 17, 2015"

Many also suspected that the difficult early run of games would help ease Rodgers out of the club, with his replacement coming in the form of a certain larger-than-life German:

"

Liverpool's first 7 away games: Stoke Arsenal Man Utd Everton Spurs Chelsea Man City pic.twitter.com/oCbOa78Rvn

— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) June 17, 2015"

Former Red Jamie Carragher saw the funny side of the fixture predicament, choosing to lay the blame at a Manchester-based colleague:

The word "conspiracy" was bandied about liberally, with some supporters taking the concept of machination a little more seriously than others:

"

Pressure: Liverpool's first 7 away games - Stoke, Arsenal, Man Utd, Everton, Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester City # fixed Klopp is smilling

— Kopwatch (@KOPWATCH) June 17, 2015"

The reaction among many Liverpool fans to the fixture computer's antics was a mixture of anxiety and disappointment:

"

Liverpool's fixtures are actually ridiculous! The conspiracy against the Reds has begun. We must be back! #YNWA

— Clint Thompson (@ClintThompson8) June 18, 2014"

"

The 2015/16 fixtures are out. Liverpool have to play everyone twice! #OUTRAGED #CONSPIRACY

— Marc Astick (@marcastick) June 17, 2015"

Despite the fearful outlook of some, there were a great deal of Reds fans and former stars who put a positive spin on the fixture situation:

"

There are easier trips through the Sahara desert than we've got in the first seven games #LFCfixtures

— Jack Holloway (@Jack_Holloway_) June 17, 2015"

A poor run of results straight out of the traps could have dire implications for the club and its manager, but in the face of ridicule and some terrifying scheduling, most of the Kop faithful seemed defiant: 

You sure are, fellas. You sure are.