Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

The new season starts here.

And if Arne Slot was given a welcoming schedule to start his time in charge at Liverpool last season, the beginning of the defence of their hard-earned championship appears less than appealing.

Having romped home to the Premier League title last term, the Reds will be given a series of early tests as they look to once again hit the ground running.

They will kick off the season with the opening game on Friday, August 15 at home to Bournemouth at 8pm.

With Milos Kerkez expected to imminently arrive at Anfield from the South Coast side, it could offer an instant reunion for the left-back.

READ MORE:Liverpool Premier League fixtures 2025/26 confirmed as champions handed tough startREAD MORE:Liverpool Premier League 25/26 fixtures LIVE - matches confirmed, dates, Bournemouth opener

After that, though, things get trickier for Liverpool during the first few months.

The first away game the following weekend is at Newcastle United, the team they lost to in the League Cup final in March, with the next four road trips being at promoted Burnley, FA Cup winners Crystal Palace - who they face in the Community Shield at Wembley the week before the Premier League season starts - and then a clash at Chelsea before travelling to Manchester City.

Following the Bournemouth game, the next four Anfield assignments are against Arsenal, neighbours Everton, bitter North West rivals Manchester United and then Aston Villa.

Not easy but, as champions, Liverpool will embrace the challenge.

But one similarity to last year is a tough run-in, with May games at Manchester United, at home to Chelsea and away against Aston Villa before finishing at home to Brentford.

Article continues below

In between, other than successive home clashes with Newcastle United and Manchester City in early 2026, the schedule appears more accommodating.

That said, the games immediately after Liverpool's eight matches in the first Champions League stage could have been kinder, with five away - at Chelsea, Brentford, Manchester City, West Ham United and Bournemouth.

What, then, of Liverpool's expected title challengers?

Arsenal have arguably an even tougher start than the Reds, opening at Manchester United with their next two away games being at Anfield and Newcastle, with a home clash against Manchester City in between.

As with last season, though, the Gunners have a much easier run-in with only two of their final nine games coming against teams who finished in the top half last season.

Manchester City have a reasonable opening and, similar to Arsenal, a less-than-onerous run-in with April clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal their only matches against last term's top five from late February onwards.

Article continues below

Chelsea, meanwhile, have an opportunity to gain early momentum before a tougher run starts in mid-September ahead of an instructive festive period - when the Londoners fell away last season - during which they travel to Newcastle and Manchester City and entertain Aston Villa.

They have a difficult test in the closing 11 games during which they take on all six of the other top-seven finishers from last season, but they could hold an advantage by the majority of them being at home.

Few, then, would be surprised if City and Chelsea are the two teams to put the early pressure on Liverpool.
For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.