Arne Slot sent worrying message over first Liverpool game as Reds hero expresses fear

Liverpool's one-time hero Michael Owen has put a pessimistic spin on the newly-released Premier League fixtures. He has sent new head coach Arne Slot a stark warning.

Owen's status at Liverpool remains very much up for debate. Still the club's last winner of the Ballon d'Or, he would end up leaving for Real Madrid, before burning plenty of bridges with his move to Manchester United as his playing days wound down.

But there's no denying his talent, and Slot may well take heed of a message from someone who has been there and done it at the top level at Anfield. He has been warned not to take his opening Liverpool test lightly.

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On paper, Liverpool has been handed the kindest start of any team in the Premier League. Data from Opta (via the BBC) suggests no team has an easier run of five matches to begin the campaign, maximizing Slot's chances of getting off to a flyer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal has to contend with the fourth-hardest start, while Manchester City has the eighth most-difficult run. Of course, everyone ultimately plays everyone else twice, but there's no denying the importance of momentum in football.

Just as important to Slot will be who Liverpool faces, and how far it has to travel, on the back of potentially grueling European away days. Again, the fixture list looks to have been relatively kind in this regard for the most part.

The opening day sees Liverpool travel to newly-promoted Ipswich Town. Looking at the history and the finances, the Tractor Boys look set to be the league's most significant underdogs by a distance in 2024/25.

But Owen has warned that this would have been one of the last fixtures he'd have picked. He has told Sky Sports that he fears a potential banana skin:

“If I was a manager or a fan, probably a promoted team away from home would be the last pick for me,” said Owen. “Obviously, the teams come up with a lot of confidence from having a great season last season, they also come up with all the enthusiasm in the world, then if they get a home tie as well it can be tricky.

“Listen, the gulf in class will be huge so Liverpool should win. But if I was a manager I’d probably be thinking the last team I want to play on the opening day of the season would be away at a promoted team.

“However, it is that and I still think Liverpool should do it. But it’s a tricky opener.” Slot has until August 17 to prepare for the test. Liverpool has been handed the 12:30 kick-off.

Liverpool.com says: Owen probably has a point. It wasn't all that long ago that Brentford caused a massive upset on the opening day against Arsenal in similar circumstances, and there are plenty of similar examples.

On the other hand, Ipswich won't have had time to get used to the level of the Premier League. Slot will be hoping he can capitalize on any naivety to get his competitive reign off to the best possible start.