Liverpool: 10 Crucial League Fixtures in 2011-12

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Raul Meireles of Liverpool celebrates with his team mates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on February 2, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (P

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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)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Jay Spearing of Liverpool launches himself into a challenge on Abou Diaby of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on April 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo

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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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Jermain Defoe of Spurs goes past Lucas of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on May 15, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Michael Steele/Getty Images

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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Mikel Arteta of Everton scores to make it 2-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Michael Regan/Getty Images

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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Luis Suarez of Liverpool goes clear of Chris Smalling and Rafael (L) of Manchester United to set up the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on March 6, 2011

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: The Liverpool players acknowledge a minutes silence in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on April 11, 2011 in Liv

Michael Regan/Getty Images

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)

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Ashley Young of Aston Villa celebrates his second goal with Stewart Downing during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park on February 26, 2011 in Birmingham, England. (

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

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)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool scores his team's first goal from a penalty kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 19, 2010 in Manchester, England

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish and Everton Manager David Moyes (R) look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 16, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Liv

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Joe Cole of Liverpool reacts after being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 15, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

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)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Fernando Torres of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Michael Regan/Getty Images

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.

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