Liverpool Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Liverpool finished a distant seventh in Brendan Rodgers' first season leading the storied Premier League club. The failure to qualify for any European competitions means there will be increased importance on EPL play for the Reds next season.

The league released the schedule (via ESPN) for the campaign, giving Liverpool and their supporters an early look at the 38-match road they will travel starting in August.

The squad probably can't wait for the chance to put last season in the rear-view mirror, so let's take a look at the challenges they'll face as they strive to improve in 2013-14.

Date	Time	Home	Away	Venue
Aug 17	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Stoke City	Anfield
Aug 24	10:00 ET	Aston Villa	Liverpool	Villa Park
Aug 31	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Manchester United	Anfield
Sep 14	10:00 ET	Swansea City	Liverpool	Liberty Stadium
Sep 21	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Southampton	Anfield
Sep 28	10:00 ET	Sunderland	Liverpool	Stadium of Light
Oct 19	10:00 ET	Newcastle United	Liverpool	St James' Park
Oct 26	10:00 ET	Liverpool	West BromwichAlbion	Anfield
Nov 2	11:00 ET	Arsenal	Liverpool	Emirates Stadium
Nov 9	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Fulham	Anfield
Nov 23	10:00 ET	Everton	Liverpool	Goodison Park
Nov 30	10:00 ET	Hull City	Liverpool	The Kingston Communications Stadium
Dec 3	3:00 ET	Liverpool	Norwich City	Anfield
Dec 7	10:00 ET	Liverpool	West Ham United	Anfield
Dec 14	10:00 ET	Tottenham Hotspur	Liverpool	White Hart Lane
Dec 21	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Cardiff City	Anfield
Dec 26	10:00 ET	Manchester City	Liverpool	Etihad Stadium
Dec 28	10:00 ET	Chelsea	Liverpool	Stamford Bridge
Jan 1	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Hull City	Anfield
Jan 11	10:00 ET	Stoke City	Liverpool	Britannia Stadium
Jan 18	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Aston Villa	Anfield
Jan 28	3:00 ET	Liverpool	Everton	Anfield
Feb 1	10:00 ET	West BromwichAlbion	Liverpool	The Hawthorns
Feb 8	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Arsenal	Anfield
Feb 12	3:00 ET	Fulham	Liverpool	Craven Cottage
Feb 22	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Swansea City	Anfield
Mar 1	10:00 ET	Southampton	Liverpool	The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium
Mar 8	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Sunderland	Anfield
Mar 15	11:00 ET	Manchester United	Liverpool	Old Trafford
Mar 22	11:00 ET	Cardiff City	Liverpool	Cardiff City Stadium
Mar 29	11:00 ET	Liverpool	Tottenham Hotspur	Anfield
Apr 5	10:00 ET	West Ham United	Liverpool	Upton Park
Apr 12	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Manchester City	Anfield
Apr 19	10:00 ET	Norwich City	Liverpool	Carrow Road
Apr 26	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Chelsea	Anfield
May 11	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Newcastle United	Anfield

Although it's perfectly fine to dream about a miracle run to the title, Liverpool's main goal heading into the campaign should be getting back to Europe. A berth in the Champions League has a significant trickle-down effect on things like the transfer window.

The Europa League isn't on the same level, but it still helps. Playing only in domestic competitions is a setback for the club. Finding a way to ensure it doesn't become a worrisome trend in the next few years is the key for the Reds.

When Rodgers arrived, it was known there would be a transition period as the former Swansea City manager built the Liverpool roster to fit his preferred playing style. That process continues this summer, but patience will soon start to fade at Anfield.

The buzzword throughout next season will likely be progress. Liverpool did show some signs of life in the second half of the campaign, and they must build off that heading into next fall and beyond in order to contend for Europe.

Of course, a lot will depend on the ongoing drama involving Luis Suarez. The striker's future remains unsettled after another season that was marked by terrific form, which saw him finish second in league goals, but also controversy.

Should he exit Anfield, there would be a massive attacking void to fill for Liverpool. It would damage their chances of getting back into a European spot this season, unless Rodgers were able to work some transfer magic to replace him.

Otherwise, Liverpool have a roster capable of challenging the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton if they play the way they did for stretches late in the campaign.

Arsenal and Tottenham are the biggest hurdles in terms of getting back to the Champions League. The Gunners continue to thrive by doing more with less, thanks to the rise of Theo Walcott and additions like Santi Cazorla. Spurs' outlook is heavily dependent on he future of Gareth Bale.

But the first task is getting past rival Everton.

The Toffees are undergoing a change at manager as Roberto Martinez replaces David Moyes, who left for Manchester United. That puts a lot of pressure on the veteran core, led by Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka, to avoid a setback. It also gives Liverpool a chance to move ahead of them.

All told, now that the schedule is out, the anticipation for next season will only continue to build.