Liverpool fixtures: Next six games after Leeds victory
Jurgen Klopp's typically bubbly persona, accompanied by a blinding grin, has been beaten down by a campaign which the Liverpool manager described as a "very average season".
The sharp-tongued retorts which only sporadically followed particularly cutting defeats have become increasingly common. Even in the wake of a creditable 2-2 draw against league-leading Arsenal, Klopp launched a jab in the direction of the press.
"The things you write are so often so far away from the truth," he claimed. "It's unbelievable."
Thankfully for the German, his side ensured there would be few criticisms on Monday night as they ran out 6-1 winners thanks to doubles from Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez also got on the scoresheet.
One thing Klopp cannot take issue with is Liverpool's remaining fixtures - of course, he will no doubt have something to say about their scheduling, but the factual date and time of each match listed below would pass the review board Klopp chairs.
Here's what lies ahead of Liverpool and their tetchy head coach.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Liverpool may have fallen to a shock loss against Nottingham Forest in October but anything other than a victory for Klopp's side next Saturday would be a monumental surprise.
Not only are Liverpool a formidable outfit at Anfield but Forest flail on the road. Steve Cooper's side rank dead-last in the division for wins, goals scored and points away from home this season.
- 22/04/23 - Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
West Ham vs Liverpool - Premier League
David Moyes was brought to his knees when Tomas Soucek had an effort from point-blank range blocked by a combination of James Milner and Alisson late on in a desperately narrow 1-0 Liverpool victory over West Ham six months ago.
Soucek still hasn't found the net since. After averaging more than one goal every five games across his first two-and-a-half Premier League seasons, Soucek has scored just once in 30 appearances this term. Having come so close at Anfield, can Soucek break his eight-month drought against Liverpool on home turf?
- 26/04/23 - West Ham vs Liverpool (19:45)
Liverpool vs Tottenham - Premier League
When Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead over Tottenham in November, the stadium announcer for the north London outfit showed off his pre-match reading when he bellowed: "Tottenham Hotspur have won more points from going behind this season than any other Premier League team, so you know what to do!"
The Spurs players clearly heard the rallying cry, halving Liverpool's advantage through Harry Kane before launching a late barrage. Klopp was so concerned that Liverpool finished the match without any recognised forward on the pitch, taking off Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah for two midfielders and a centre-back as Liverpool held on to all three points.
If the Anfield announcer is feeling particularly petty, they could point out that Tottenham have since been passed by Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the comeback charts.
- 30/04/23 - Liverpool vs Tottenham (16:30)
Liverpool vs Fulham - Premier League
With their top scorer still suspended, Fulham may not travel to Anfield in the best form but the Cottagers can take confidence from their recent record against Liverpool.
Fulham are in the midst of a three-game unbeaten sequence against the Merseyside outfit - the club's longest lossless run in this fixture since a spell of four games without defeat in the 1960s.
- 03/05/23 - Liverpool vs Fulham (20:00)
Liverpool vs Brentford - Premier League
While it is customary for Brentford to celebrate significant home wins with a spirited rendition of 'Hey Jude', the sweet melody written by a famously Merseyside band will have stung the Liverpool fans that made the fruitless trip to the capital in January.
After a 3-1 loss which saw Liverpool bullied in both boxes, Andy Robertson conceded that his team were "not good enough". Whether Liverpool will have the requisite quality to get one over Brentford and their Beatlemania in May remains to be seen.
- 06/05/23 - Liverpool vs Brentford (17:30)
Leicester vs Liverpool - Premier League
Dean Smith's arrival at Leicester ensures that there will be no reunion between Klopp and his former landlord Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium.
It has been a particularly turbulent campaign for Premier League managers but Klopp is no stranger to watching the churn of opposition dugouts. Since Klopp replaced Rodgers at Liverpool in 2015, Smith is the 89th permanent manager appointed in England's top flight.
- 15/05/23 - Leicester vs Liverpool (20:00)
- 22/04/23 - Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
- 26/04/23 - West Ham vs Liverpool (19:45)
- 30/04/23 - Liverpool vs Tottenham (16:30)
- 03/05/23 - Liverpool vs Fulham (20:00)
- 06/05/23 - Liverpool vs Brentford (17:30)
- 15/05/23 - Leicester vs Liverpool (20:00)