Gary McAllister has joined the majority of Liverpool supporters in greeting the club’s relatively convenient 2017/2018 Premier League fixture list.
The Reds will open the season with a trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford before welcoming Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Burnley as well as facing Manchester City away from home across their next four games.
Despite early games against two notable top four contenders, McAllister is happy with the schedule, including a helpful Christmas period.
“Recently, we’ve had really tough starts but started well. This looks pretty favourable, although we’ve got Man City and Arsenal back-to-back in the opening five games,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I always think it is crucial to get away [well] because it builds confidence immediately, especially if we’re bringing in two or three new players – they get bedded into the team and confidence grows.
“It’s not much fun when you’re playing catch-up going into the Christmas and New Year period.
“Boxing Day and December 30 are both at home, and then the game after that going into the New Year we’re just down the road at Burnley.
“So the beauty of those games is that we don’t have to travel, we’re at home. The players will be able to spend a bit of time with their family over the Christmas period, although the training and games schedule is always very tough.”
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Getting off to a strong start promises to be vital for Jurgen Klopp’s men with the upcoming Premier League season threatening to become the most competitive yet.
Liverpool will potentially have to contest with a new challenge this season in the form of European football, providing they can come through August’s play-off round.
If the first half of last season is anything to go by, this team, plus a few new signings, isn’t far away from being capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
Not long to wait now, Reds.