After a busy couple of weeks for the Reds we have plenty to unpack on this edition of Liverpool Lines. From delight to despair this packed set of fixtures really did have it all, which we will plough through here.

A Champions League blockbuster opener

The Reds returned to Europe’s most prestigious footballing competition hungry for more, after a round of 16 penalties exit to eventual winners PSG left Slot’s side desiring a better season in Europe in the 2025/26 season.

After the fixtures were revealed last month, it was clear the Reds were going to have a tough few matches in their quest for qualification to the knockouts.

Now, after facing PSG in the round of 16 last year following finishing top of the league phase, it’s pretty clear that ending the eight game league at number one isn’t essential, however getting in that first eight allows for the side to not have to play the round of 32, so winning is still important.

First off, a tough test against Diego Simeone at Anfield. Playing the Argentine’s side at home will bring back some hard memories for some, with the Spaniards being responsible for the Reds’ heartbreaking exit in the competition back in the 2019/20 season – bloody Llorente!

That wasn’t to matter as we ended up winning the league that season so all ended up ok.

The excitement of the fan base definitely went up when the team sheets were announced, as a certain Alexander Isak’s name appeared. A debut for the Swede was incoming.

The game took a similar turn that most of our stress-fest have so far this season, the lads took a very quick two goal lead.

Within six minutes the Reds were 2-0 up, the first courtesy of a deflected free kick which Andy Robertson managed to get a toe on, poking it past a confused Jan Oblak.

Whilst the second came from a lovely one-two between Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah, which allowed the Egyptian to find enough space inside the box to curl it into the bottom right corner. However, as Liverpool matches seem to be at the moment nothing is simple.

Just before the half time whilst was blown, Marcos Llorente returned with a goal to haunt the Kopites again, five years after his double in the Champions League knockouts.

Things the got worse for the Reds as by the 81st minute it was 2-2, another Llorente goal, history repeating itself!

It looked like the home side were going to let another two goal lead slip away again, just like Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Though those matches ended with a late Liverpool winner – could this one?

Yes. The answer was yes.

Big players step up in big moments and that’s exactly what happened when Dominik Szoboszlai swung in a ball from the right corner, finding the head of the skipper Virgil Van Dijk, who produced a exquisite header past the a helpless Oblak.

As the captain ran to the Kop to celebrate Simeone was fighting fans in the lower Main Stand, it was chaos, a Champions League classic.

Super strikes, potential comebacks and last minute winners, this is what the Champions League is all about.

Arne’ men with all three points on the opening day – just!

Derby day delight

It was time for another edition of one of the most exciting, nerve racking and heated games of the season – the Merseyside derby.

Our first visit to the Hill Dickinson is to come, with this one being held at Anfield.

Again, just like Bournemouth and Newcastle and Atletico Madrid, the Reds went 2-0 up again.

The first came quick, 10 minutes in, as a nicely played past from Salah found Gravenberch in a pocket of space in the Everton box.

The tall Dutchman reached out on of those lanky legs clipping the ball over Jordan Pickford and in for the opener.

The midfielder was also involved in the second, feeding through Hugo Ekitiké who drilled the quickly taken shot past the England number one. 2-0 Liverpool.

Brilliant we thought, a nice easy win against the old rivals.

But unfortunately as it seems with the Reds this season, things didn’t stay going to plan.

Close to the hour mark and a thunder strike from Everton’s Gueye had got the Toffees back into the match, and it was deserved.

Equal possession and shot between the two sides and we had a very interesting last half an hour on our hands at Anfield.

Thankfully the defence held strong on this occasion and there wasn’t a need for a last minute goal, which is probably for the best with only three minutes of injury time – don’t talk to David Moyes about that!

It ended 2-1 and Slot’s side were now five in five in the Premier League.

Not a bad start to your title defence now is it.

It’s cup time!

After the recent stresses of the Premier and Champions Leagues it was time for Arne Slot’s squad to turn their attention to the Carabao Cup with a home tie against Championship side Southampton in the third round.

With another chance at a trophy but also an opportunity for rotation, the manager went with a mixed team, full of talent and prospects alike, including a debut for Giovanni Leoni at centre back.

However it was a first Liverpool goal for record signing Isak that opened the scoring just before halftime – what a great moment.

Though with any Reds game, it became stressful, with a few chances missed and a low disjointed performance, the Saints took their chance from Shea Charles and the game was level.

But the squad depth of the champions proved its worth, with Ekitike coming on to replace Isak and bagging the winner from a second Chiesa assist.

He then decided to take his shirt off and get a second yellow card, being sent off and receiving a suspension for the Crystal Palace game on Saturday – definitely not ideal!

Even with ten the Reds managed to get over the line, sending them through to now face Crystal Palace at Anfield in the next round.

Though the biggest talking point of the game might just be the injury to Leoni, which as now been revealed as an ACL tear for the 18 year old.

It was such a shame, coming off on your debut after playing really well and we wish him all the best with his recovery.

That injury kind of put a damper on the win, but at least the Reds are through.