Premier League Fixtures 2011-12: 10 Must-See Liverpool Matches Next Season
The new English Premier League season is fast approaching. The thoughts of fresh cut grass, flood lights and "You'll Never Walk Alone," already permeate my mind as my excitement for one of the most highly anticipated Liverpool seasons of the last 20 years kicks off this August.
Today unveiled the fixtures for the upcoming English Premier League season. Liverpool as always have many games we all want to see, but here is a list of the 10 games that everyone should make every effort not to miss during the league and why.
8/13/2011: Sunderland at Anfield
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The season begins with Steve Bruce and the Sunderland Black Cats making the trip to Anfield on August 13th, 2011.
Liverpool's newest signing, Jordan Henderson, will face off against his former club, and Kenny Dalglish will make the start to his first campaign at the helm of Liverpool since 1991.
8/20/2011: Arsenal at the Emirates
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Liverpool's first test against top-4 competition comes in the second match of the season as they travel to Arsenal on August 20th, 2011.
Dirk Kuyt spoiled the Gunners last home game against the Reds as a last-minute penalty allowed them to escape back to Merseyside with a point.
It will be a key high profile match to see just how far the Reds have come since last season.
9/17/2011: Tottenham at Anfield
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Liverpool play host to Tottenham on September 17th, 2011. Spurs did the double-over the Reds last season, and their victory in the second-to-last match of the season at Anfield doomed the Merseysiders to spend the next season out of Europe.
The Reds will be eager to avenge themselves, as Dalglish will be expecting a better result than the last time he and Harry Redknapp faced off.
10/1/11: Merseyside Derby, Part I
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October 1st, 2011 sees the first installment of this years Merseyside Derby with Everton. Last season the Reds lost the first game at Goodison 2-0.
With this season's battle beginning at Goodison Park again, it will be crucial for the Reds to sneak at least one point.
10/15/2011: Manchester United at Anfield
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Dirk Kuyt secured a hat trick over the Red Devils last March at Anfield, and the Reds will be key to do it again when Sir Alex Ferguson and his charges return to Merseyside on October 15th, 2011.
Dalglish will also relish another battle with his Scot counterpart.
11/19/2011: Chelsea at the Bridge
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Raul Meireles broke the hearts of Chelsea fans in February 2011, as the debut match of Fernando Torres was a bust when he was subbed off early, while his former team took the spoils, allowing the Reds to do the double-over their rivals.
Torres had been the cause of the Blues' first faltering against the Reds in a 2-0 bashing at Anfield earlier in the season.
The Reds will be out for blood again, as they need all the points they can get from the top clubs in the league.
1/2/2012: Man City at Manchester Stadium
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It remains to be seen if Carlos Tevez will stay with City, but with what are sure to be a few more multi-million dollar signings over the summer, it will make the match at the City of Manchester Stadium interesting.
The last time they faced off, the Reds embarrassed the big spenders, who'll be hoping to right that result with a win of their own. King Kenny, though, will be sure to have the boys ready to go.
2/11/2012: Manchester United in the Theatre of Dreams
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Liverpool's last trip to Manchester United ended in a frustrating cup tie-loss. It was the debut of now permanent manager, Kenny Dalglish, and the boss will be looking to get one back at United.
In what is sure to be an important match at the beginning of February when the run-in starts warming up, the Reds will hope to take home another victory.
2/25/2012: Merseyside Derby, Part II
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Dirk Kuyt saved the day last time at Anfield, as he notched a 68th-minute penalty that saw the game end 2-2.
The Derbys continue to be hotly contested these days, and with it coming in a fixture right after the Manchester United match for the second time this season, it will surely be a big Anfield event when the Blues come down the street.
5/5/2012: Torres Returns to Anfield
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Liverpool's former No. 9 will make his return in the second-to-last fixture on May 5th, 2012.
El Niño was a fan favorite who broke the hearts of many when he left for Bluer pastures in London. However, they truly turned out to be blue, as his dip in form continued for the rest of the season.
He has already been replaced with Andy Carroll having filled his number and the big Gordie already has the hearts of the fans that Torres once could have asked anything from.
It will be an interesting to see the reaction from the fans, who last saw the Spanish striker in Red nearly a year-and-a-half ago. And with it being so late in the season, this match is one that could have heavy consequences in the table for either team that loses.
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