When Liverpool begin their 2023/24 Premier League season in West London, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that the referee's full-time whistle prompts a more spirited response from the travelling Kop than that of 12 months ago.
That's because when the Reds last travelled to the capital on the opening weekend of the Premier League, in August 2022, the hardships that later troubled an exhausted Liverpool side for much of the campaign were exhibited during a drab 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Fulham.
An Aleksandar Mitrovic double, either side of half-time, left much to be desired as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and the rest of their peers endured a torrid afternoon in West London, and one that was only rescued by the fine finishing of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
In truth, that outing at Craven Cottage was a rare flaw on the Reds' opening day record over the last decade in the Premier League - with only seven-time champions Manchester City posting a better return than the eight wins and two draws Liverpool have managed.
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During that period, three opening days fixtures pre-dated Klopp's time at the helm as former manager Brendan Rodgers oversaw victories over Stoke City (x2) and Southampton on home soil between 2013 and 2015.
Klopp's first taste of the Premier League's August scheduling would come at the Emirates Stadium in 2016 as goals from Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against Arsenal. That would be the first of five opening-day wins for the German, who later tallied victories against West Ham United, Norwich City (2) and Leeds United.
Despite Liverpool's Premier League finishes over the last 10 years ranging from first to eighth, only Manchester City, who have won six league titles in that time, boast a better record than their 80% win rate.
The Citizens have won nine of their fixtures during that time, with the only blemish on an otherwise faultless record being the 1-0 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in August 2021.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's opening day opponents Chelsea are third behind City and the Reds for the best record in the past 10 years, posting seven wins, a draw and two defeats. A win for Liverpool would see the Reds' have the best 10-year record, overhauling Man City and opening up the gap further to Chelsea.
It means that if Liverpool are going to put up a similarly impressive title fight to their efforts in 2019, 2020 and 2022 and look to push Pep Guardiola's side all the way, then victory at Stamford Bridge in August is a must.
Liverpool Premier League record 2013-2022:
2013 - Stoke City 1-0 W (H)
2014 - Southampton 2-1 W (H)
2015 - Stoke 1-0 W (A)
2016 - Arsenal 4-3 W (A)
2017 - Watford 3-3 D (A)
2018 - West Ham United 4-0 W (H)
2019 - Norwich 4-1 W (H)
2020 - Leeds United 4-3 W (H)
2021 - Norwich 3-0 W (A)
2022 - Fulham 2-2 D (A)
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