5 Key Fixtures for Liverpool Fans to Focus on in 2016/17 Premier League Season

The release of the new Premier League fixtures always stirs up excitement ahead of the big kick-off in August, but Liverpool's 2016/17 schedule presents a daunting start for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Indeed, the Reds' start couldn't be much tougher, as they'll face last season's top three—Arsenal (away), Tottenham (away), Leicester City (home)—within their first four games of the season, followed by a trip to Chelsea.

And it could yet get trickier, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Liverpool have asked Burnley to switch their fixtures due to the ongoing expansion work at Anfield. Such a change would mean no home game until September 10, against Leicester, and therefore three away games to kick things off.

While the start is tough, there is a favourable looking run-in for the Reds, who face Middlesbrough at home on the final day of the season.

We take a look at five key fixtures for Liverpool in the 2016/17 season. 

Chelsea (A)

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Due to be played: September 17

Liverpool's trip to Stamford Bridge is their fifth fixture of the new season, by which time the transfer window will have long closed and teams will be aiming to find their rhythm.

However, with those tough three games against Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester preceding this fixture, it could be difficult for Klopp's side to find their feet.

This will be their third trip to London in the first five games of the season and likely their fourth away game, the other then being at new boys Burnley, and the only home game having been against last season's champions.

Liverpool will be hoping for a similar result to last season's comfortable 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, but that won't be easy against new manager Antonio Conte's side.

Everton (A)

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Due to be played: December 17

The first Merseyside derby of the season takes place the week before Christmas at Goodison Park.

It's one of the few stadiums Klopp has yet to visit, with the last derby at Goodison being Brendan Rodgers' last game in charge of the Reds.

Klopp's first taste of an away derby arrives after a favourable run of eight games following the mid-October game against Manchester United.

Liverpool, then, will be hoping to find form and consistency by this point, and a win in the derby would give them a nice boost heading into the festive fixtures. 

Manchester United (A)

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Due to be played: January 14

Liverpool's last trip to Old Trafford was ultimately a positive one, with the Reds knocking their rivals out of Europe 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw.

Klopp has yet to face Manchester United away in the league, and his first taste of this fixture arrives in midwinter, the week after the FA Cup third round.

With games against Chelsea, Tottenham, Leicester and Arsenal in their next six games after this, a positive result here would give Liverpool the momentum to flourish through the winter months.

Manchester City (A)

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Due to be played: March 18

Klopp enjoyed good and bad times against Manchester City in his opening season on Merseyside, with the 4-1 win at Eastlands arguably the best performance from his side. But the League Cup final penalty defeat was a difficult one to take.

The trip to face Pep Guardiola's City side arrives in late March, when City could be involved in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Liverpool, of course, will have no European distractions in the coming season and could profit from that around this time.

A win here would set Liverpool up nicely for what appears on paper to be a favourable looking run-in.

West Ham United (A)

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Due to be played: May 13

Liverpool's first trip to the Olympic Stadium is the final away game of the campaign, a time when games often have a lot more than three points riding on them.

Could a win here be crucial to a top-four finish? Liverpool will be hoping that's the case.

After games against Bournemouth, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Watford and Southampton before this, Klopp's side should arrive in London in good form.

A win here could be key, with Middlesbrough at home the only remaining fixture of the season.