Liverpool first 5 Premier League fixtures compared to Arsenal and Manchester City

The Reds’ full Premier League schedule for 2025-26 was released on

Liverpool didn’t just win the Premier League last season; they blew their competition away.

In a campaign where few predicted they’d be serious contenders under a new manager, Arne Slot delivered something out of the ordinary.

The Dutchman’s debut season at Anfield brought a level of control, consistency and attacking clarity that overwhelmed the rest of the league.

Arsenal offered the most resistance but still finished ten points behind the champions, while Manchester City, usually the standard setters, ended up thirteen points adrift in third.

Now, with the fixture list for the 2025/26 season unveiled yesterday, focus now turns to the opening stretch of a new campaign and the growing question of whether anyone can close the gap on Liverpool.

In the transfer market, the early signs suggest that the Reds are intent on strengthening from a position of power.

Jeremie Frimpong has already been confirmed as their first summer signing and deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, are closer than ever.

As for Manchester City, they are looking to respond after a rare season without silverware, have also made early moves.

Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri have joined the Citizens from AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais and Wolves.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are yet to act in the market.

After finishing as Liverpool’s closest challengers, the pressure is on Mikel Arteta to find that extra gear – but as things stand, they will approach the new season with the same core that ultimately came up short on three consecutive occasions.

With the opening fixtures now locked in, the three main title-rivals face very different starts.

How they truly begin the campaign will shape the months ahead.

LIVERPOOL FIRST 5

Liverpool FC.

AFC Bournemouth (H) – 15th August

Newcastle United (A) – 23rd August

Arsenal (H) – 30th August

Burnley (A) – 13th September

Everton (H) – 20th September

The Champions’ opening five fixtures provide a platform.

Home games against Bournemouth, Arsenal and Everton combined with away trips to Newcastle and Burnley, offer a balance of challenge and opportunity.

Crucially, three of those five arrive at Anfield where the Reds lost just one match last season – to Nottingham Forest.

The Cherries is an ideal curtain-raiser for Liverpool, but not without threat.

Arne Slot’s side will then be the first visitors to St. James’ Park in front of a packed Geordie faithful, the atmosphere and the challenge expected to be electric.

But it’s the matchday three showdown with Arsenal that stands out as a possible early marker in the title-race, an added advantage being played at home.

The first of the newly promoted sides are Burnley at Turf Moor post the first international break, before hosting bitter rivals, Everton, for the opening Merseyside Derby of the season.

A tally of nine to twelve points from this run would be more than acceptable for Liverpool.

If they manage to take all fifteen, they’re already halfway to sending another strong message.

ARSENAL FIRST 5

Manchester United (A) – 17th August

Leeds United (H) – 23rd August

Liverpool (A) – 30th August

Nottingham Forest (H) – 13th September

Manchester City (H) – 20th September

If Mikel Arteta was hoping for a steady start, he won’t find it here.

Arsenal’s first five games are loaded with significance, starting with an opening weekend trip to Old Trafford.

Manchester United may remain unpredictable, but it’s rarely a stadium that offers comfort.

The home opener against the champions of the Championship, Leeds, should bring a straightforward three points, but it’s the games that follows which catch the most attention.

A trip to Anfield puts Arsenal straight in the fire.

Their record away to Liverpool remains poor, having not won since 2012 – a 2-0 victory, and this comes prior to two huge home matches.

Nottingham Forest who frustrated top sides last campaign, and Manchester City, who will relish the chance to test the Gunners’ credentials early.

In terms of pure difficulty, Arsenal arguably face the hardest run out of their rivals and while a slow start wouldn’t rule them out of contention, but it could leave them playing catch-up.