In what could be a pivotal month in Liverpool’s season, this article will examine the difficulty of all eight of Arne Slot’s opponents, as his side looks to compete on all four fronts.
Let's take a look at how their opponents rank.
Manchester United (H) – Premier League
The trajectories of Liverpool and Manchester United couldn’t be further apart - separated by 13 positions and 23 points in the Premier League.
As Liverpool bear the mantle of title favourites, Ruben Amorim’s fledgling side have been barraged by the media with the unfathomable prospect of relegation.
However, to suggest that this will be a comprehensive victory is farcical.
A key talking point will be whether United’s back three can withstand the devastating trio of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
A subtle yet noticeable change that Slot has implemented at Liverpool is the removal of emotion from their game, as seen in their victory at Old Trafford in September.
They need only do the same to avoid any surprises.
Fixture difficulty rating: 6/10
Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Carabao Cup semi-final (first leg)
A chance for Liverpool to retain a trophy beckons for the first time since 1984 but first they must withstand Ange Postecoglou’s volatile Spurs side.
Postecoglou has been very vocal about his guarantee of winning a trophy in his second season at every club he has managed.
His only concern would be which Tottenham Hotspur decide to show up at their state-of-the-art ground.
For his sake, it cannot be the side that was pummelled 6-3 by the same opponents in December and some much-needed defensive reinforcements ought to be of some help in January.
With squad rotation a possibility, a combination of first-team and fringe players should be enough to overcome a fragile Spurs squad dangerously low on confidence.
Fixture difficulty rating: 6/10
Accrington Stanley (H) - FA Cup
James McConnell, Jayden Danns and the eye-catching Trey Nyoni should undoubtedly return to the fold against the League Two outfit, injuries preventing.
It will also be a great opportunity for previously injured players like Federico Chiesa to get some valuable minutes in the legs.
A “cup-set” should be the last thing on the cards.
Fixture difficulty rating: 3/10
Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League
Slot’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect 2024 for the Dutch coach was Liverpool succumbing to the Premier League’s surprise package in Nottingham Forest.
The Kop witnessed a masterclass in tactful defending and clinical attacking, as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s winner condemned Slot to his first and only defeat as Liverpool head coach to date.
Things have only improved since that result in September, as against all odds, Forest sit in third place on 37 points.
The visitors will have a challenging task ahead of them in attempting to topple a side who have only lost twice at the City Ground all season.
Liverpool’s centre-halves will be tested by a classic number nine in Chris Wood, while Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White will look to cause trouble.
A win at Forest would overcome a mental hurdle and eliminate them from posing an unprecedented title challenge.
Fixture difficulty rating: 9/10
Brentford (A) – Premier League
Liverpool can take some joy in that the fortress that was once the Gtech Community Stadium has been breached twice, courtesy of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
At the time of writing, Brentford are winless in five games and the Premier League’s top scorers outside of the traditional ‘big six’ have only hit the back of the net just once in their last three.
However, the Bees will have an opportunity to rectify this, as they host Plymouth, Man City and Liverpool in consecutive home games in January.
Brentford’s strike partnership of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa is not one to be taken lightly, nor is the side’s aerial dominance.
Slot made easy work of Thomas Frank’s side when they visited Anfield, through the art of the counter-attack and back-to-back away wins would certainly get Liverpool fans believing that the finish line is in sight.
Fixture difficulty rating: 8/10
Lille (H) – Champions League
While Liverpool have swept aside some difficult opponents in the Champions League, Lille may be their toughest contest yet.
The French side are unbeaten in 5 Champions League games, boasting wins over both Madrid sides and holding Italian giants Juventus to a draw.
As it stands, they sit just one point above ninth-placed Borussia Dortmund, meaning that automatic qualification to the round of 16 isn’t guaranteed yet, giving Lille an increased incentive.
The prospect of an Anfield upset in Europe's elite competition should be enough for Slot to avoid ringing the changes.
He will want to maintain an unbeaten start and seeing off Lille would be yet another impressive scalp for the Dutchman in Europe.
Fixture difficulty rating: 7/10
Ipswich (H) – Premier League
Ipswich will journey to Anfield in search of an invaluable three points to help them in their efforts to avoid relegation.
They will, however, also have an eye on a crucial game against Southampton at Portman Road a week later and so will not want to over-exert against Liverpool.
Provided the Reds can break through their low block and be wary of their threat on the counterattack, it should be a comprehensive victory.
Fixture difficulty rating: 4/10
PSV (A) – Champions League
Liverpool have already secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 and a heavily changed Reds line-up should be enough to overturn Slot’s former foes in Eindhoven.