Liverpool: 10 Crucial League Fixtures in 2011-12

Only a few more weeks until the new Premier League season kicks off. Soon, Anfield will be packed, the noise levels will be deafening and the quest for the title will resume. Even better, the usual summer tortures of scrounging around for news vaguely related to football will be over.

If Liverpool are to regain their place at the top of the league table, a strong start to the season will be vital. The poor results of the past couple seasons have been largely due to poor away-form, a problem which must be solved this year.

In the first half of the season, most of the crunch games will be on the road. However, if Kenny Dalglish can solve Liverpool's struggles on the road, the club will be in a strong position for the rest of the season.

In the second half of the season, nearly all of the key games will be played in a single stretch from early February to early March at Anfield. From mid March to May, the only difficult game will be the final home game of the season against Chelsea.

Here are 10 dates you will want to mark down on your calendar.

10. August 20, Arsenal (Away)

Last season's result: 1-1

The first major test for the team will be in the second round of league fixtures.

Arsenal are currently in the midst of a minor crisis, with many of their star players reportedly trying to jump ship. Hopefully this will work in favour of Liverpool.

9. September 17, Tottenham Hotspur (Away)

Last season's result: 2-1 loss

Liverpool have lost the last three league meetings at White Hart Lane. With Tottenham likely being one of the major contenders for a top-four finish, Liverpool have to pick up a draw at the very least.

8. October 1, Everton (Away)

Last season's result: 2-0 loss

If Liverpool dare put on such a pathetic display as they did under Hodgson at Goodison Park last year, expect a few public executions to take place outside of Melwood the following day. Thank goodness Kenny's back, because nothing less than a win will be considered acceptable against the Toffees.

7. October 15, Manchester United (Home)

Last season's result: 3-1 win

The two most important games of the year are back-to-back league fixtures. This will also be Liverpool's first chance to silence the annoying repetition of "19" by United supporters.

6. November 26, Manchester City (Home)

Last season's result: 3-0 win

Should Carlos Tevez leave City this summer, he may end up taking the club's chances of mounting a title challenge with him.  But Tevez or no Tevez, Manchester City will surely be one of the teams fighting for a Champions League spot, which makes this a must-win game for Liverpool.

5. December 17, Aston Villa ( Away)

Last season's result: 1-0 loss

This is the first of four games in 12 days over the Christmas period. It's a cliche to say that the title may not be won by Christmas, but it can be lost over this critical part of the season. A win against the Villains is important in order to carry momentum through to New Year's.

4. February 11, Manchester United (Away)

Last season's result: 3-2 loss

The North West Derby needs no help from sports writers trying to hype up the greatest rivalry in English sports.

However, the timing of this season's trip to Old Trafford adds to the importance of the occasion. It is the second game in a run of four which also includes Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal. February will likely be the month that decides whether this season will be a success or failure for Liverpool.

3. February 25, Everton (Home)

Last season's result: 2-2

Last year's game against Everton at Anfield was Kenny's first home game in charge since taking over from Hodgson. Everton benefited from the lack of time Dalglish had to shape the team, but that won't be a problem this time around.

Hopefully, Liverpool will manage to do the double against Everton.

2. March 3, Arsenal (Home)

Last season's result: 1-1

In last season's opening game, Arsenal managed a draw at Anfield thanks to a reckless Joe Cole getting red carded and a rare mistake from Pepe Reina.

Hopefully, Joe Cole won't be around this time. And Arsenal shouldn't count on ever benefiting from another Reina howler.

1. May 5, Chelsea (Home)

Last season's result: 2-0 win

Unless Liverpool get paired with Chelsea in the FA or League Cup, this will probably be the first time Fernando Torres plays at Anfield since leaving for Chelsea. If he doesn't already regret leaving Liverpool,  a thrashing in front of the Kop will change that.

This is the only tricky fixture in an otherwise easy ending to the season.