Liverpool will face Benfica either side of their potential Premier League title-decider with Man City next month.
With both the Reds and Pep Guardiola’s side through to the Champions League quarter-finals, they faced the possibility of taking on each other three times in the space of a week. Meanwhile, if both sides progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals and had been drawn against each other, it was possible for them to lock horns four times in a row.
However, mercifully Jurgen Klopp ’s men have been spared the prospect of repeated clashes with the reigning champions and will instead warm up for their trip to the Etihad with a trip to Benfica on Tuesday 5 April, after hosting Watford in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday 2 April. In contrast - and in a potential boost for Klopp and co. - City will play Atletico Madrid either side of facing Liverpool on the same dates as the Reds' own ties.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah suffers setback as Liverpool dealt Trent Alexander-Arnold injury blow
READ MORE: Liverpool path to Champions League final emerges as quarter-final opponents confirmed
Klopp's side will then host the Portuguese outfit at Anfield on Wednesday 13 April as they look to progress to the Champions League semi-finals, with a trip to Aston Villa then following on Saturday 16 April. However, if Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the FA Cup quarter-finals, they will instead take part in the FA Cup semi-finals that weekend instead.
While Benfica are out of the Portuguese title race and domestic cup, the Champions League is their only hope of silverware this season. Yet they will face a couple of tough matches either side of facing Klopp’s side.
Currently sitting third in the table, in the last qualifying spot for the Champions League, they travel to fourth-placed Braga, who currently sit 12 points behind them, on Sunday 3 April. After hosting Liverpool, they will host bottom-placed Belenenses on Sunday 10 April, with a local derby away at Sporting Lisbon, who currently occupy second place and sit six points ahead of them in the table, falling on Saturday 16th April after the second leg.
Meanwhile, if the Reds beat Benfica, they will face the winners of Villarreal vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg taking place at Anfield.
Hosting Manchester United and Everton on Tuesday 19 April and Sunday 24 April respectively, Villarreal/Bayern will complete an Anfield treble-header in the space of a week on Tuesday 26 April or Wednesday 27 April. Should the Bavarians reach the Champions League semi-finals, they face a Bundesliga title-decider at home to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 23 April before a potential trip to Anfield. In contrast, Villarreal are currently afforded a weekend off.
Liverpool are then scheduled to travel to Newcastle United in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday 30 April, before a potential semi-final second leg trip to Spain or Germany on Tuesday 3 May or Wednesday 4 May. Meanwhile, Champions League semi-finals would sandwich a trip to Mainz for Bayern Munich on Saturday 30 April, while Villarreal are due to travel to Alaves on Sunday 1 May.
A home clash with Tottenham Hotspur will then follow for Klopp’s side, and is currently scheduled for Saturday 7 May.
Should City progress past Atletico, they will face tricky assignments against either Chelsea or Real Madrid.
Liverpool fixture list
Watford H - Saturday 2nd April - 12.30pm
Benfica A - Tuesday 5 April - 8pm
Man City A - Sunday 10 April - 4.30pm
Benfica H - Wednesday 12 April - 8pm
*Aston Villa A - Saturday 16 April - 5.30pm/Potential FA Cup semi-final
Manchester United H - Tuesday 19 April - 8pm
Everton H - Sunday 24 April - 4.30pm
*Villarreal/Bayern Munich H - Tuesday 26 or Wednesday 27 April - 8pm (if LFC beat Benfica)
Newcastle United A - Saturday 30 April - 12.30pm
*Villarreal/Bayern Munich A - Tuesday 3 or Wednesday 4 May - 8pm (if LFC beat Benfica)
Tottenham Hotspur H - Saturday 7 May - 3pm
Southampton A - Sunday 15 May - 3pm
Wolves H - Sunday 22 May - 4pm
The FA Cup final will take place on Saturday 14 May, with the Champions League final following two weeks later on Saturday 28 May. If Liverpool go all the way in the domestic tournament, their trips to Aston Villa and Southampton will be rearranged and are likely to take place midweek either side of the Wembley showdown.
