Liverpool FC News: Reds' next five fixtures after international break

Liverpool won't play again until the end of March because of the upcoming international break, but Jurgen Klopp and his players have some challenging fixtures when they return to Merseyside. 

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage on Sunday when they fell to a disappointing 4-3 defeat against rivals Manchester United, with Liverpool not in action again until the final day of the month.

While exiting the FA Cup was disappointing, it could be a blessing in disguise come the end of the season as Liverpool fight for the Premier League title and Europa League trophy.

Klopp's men have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season, but they will be desperate to ensure that that's not the only piece of silverware they win come this summer.

With a crucial period ahead, here are Liverpool's next five fixtures in all competitions.

LIVERPOOL VS BRIGHTON - PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool face a visit from one of their reported managerial targets when they return from the international break, with Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton side making the trip all the way up to Anfield on 31 March.

The Seagulls have been in inconsistent form since the turn of the year and were recently dumped out of the Europa League by Roma, but the south coast side are still in the hunt to qualify for Europe again this term.

De Zerbi has been touted as a potential successor to Klopp come the end of the season, although he is firmly behind the likes of Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim in the pecking order.

The Italian has overseen a patchy run of form but Brighton are still a side that can beat anyone on their day, with Liverpool having failed to taste victory against the Seagulls in their last four matches.

That includes a 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium earlier this season, in which goals from Simon Adingra and Lewis Dunk cancelled out a Mohamed Salah brace.

• Liverpool vs Brighton - Sunday, 31 March (14:00 GMT)

LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool will be in action again the following Thursday and will this time welcome struggling Sheffield United to Anfield in an evening kick-off.

The Reds may view this fixture as one that can help them boost their goal difference given just how woeful the Blades have been this season, especially defensively.

They are currently rock bottom of the table with 50 points fewer than the Reds, although the Premier League is always capable of springing a surprise.

Klopp's men won the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane with little fuss, goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai securing a comfortable 2-0 victory in early December.

• Liverpool vs Sheffield United - Thursday, 4 April (19:30 GMT)

MANCHESTER UNITED VS LIVERPOOL - PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool will be looking for revenge for their quarter-final FA Cup exit when they face a trip to Old Trafford in the Premier League in early April.

The Reds haven't won either of their two fixtures against the Red Devils this season, despite Erik ten Hag's side having been largely second best for both encounters.

Klopp's men will have to be far more clinical for the third meeting of the campaign, with Liverpool hopefully having the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones back for the clash.

Liverpool have shown they are more than capable of dispatching Man Utd this season, but have been far too wasteful in the previous match-ups.

A potentially decisive clash in the title race, it's simply a must-win fixture for the Reds.

• Manchester United vs Liverpool - Sunday, 7 April (15:30 GMT)

LIVERPOOL VS ATALANTA - EUROPA LEAGUE

Liverpool have the opportunity to put one foot in the Europa League semi-final when they welcome a talented Atalanta side to Anfield in April.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side are currently sixth in Serie A but still have the chance to finish in the top four, with La Dea having dispatched of Liverpool managerial target Ruben Amorim and his Sporting CP players in the last 16.

The Italian side are always an exciting watch and boast some incredibly talented players - including Liverpool-linked Teun Koopmeiners - with Gasperini's men having beaten Liverpool 2-0 on their only other trip to Merseyside.

However, Liverpool did win the other clash between the two sides in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage 5-0 thanks to a Diogo Jota hat-trick.

Liverpool have rarely stepped out of second gear in Europe this season, but they will likely have to against Atalanta.

• Liverpool vs Atalanta - Thursday, 11 April (20:00)

LIVERPOOL VS CRYSTAL PALACE - PREMIER LEAGUE

The fourth of Liverpool's next five games to take place on home soil, Crystal Palace also face a trip to Anfield in mid-April.

Harvey Elliott was the match-winner in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park, producing a 90th-minute bullet from the edge of the area to claim a 2-1 victory for the Reds.

However, the Eagles are now managed by the talented Oliver Glasner - who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 - with former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson having left the club.

Klopp will be offered a different test by the Austrian coach, who has already made a positive impression in London.

The good news for the Reds is that they have won 12 of their last 14 games against the Eagles and haven't tasted defeat in this fixture since 2017.

• Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - Sunday, 14 April (14:00) GMT