'We can get off to flyer'
Kop legend David Fairclough believes the arrival of new manager Brendan Rodgers can help Liverpool make a flying start to the 2012-13 season.
The release of the fixtures for the new campaign has revealed the Reds will entertain Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United in their first three home games, and while on paper it looks like a tough start, the St Etienne hero insists the potential results of those games will not influence the rest of the season.
"It's important to get off to a good start and everybody looks to build up some momentum early on, but I don't think our opening fixtures will make or break the season," Fairclough told Liverpoolfc.com.
"There is going to be so much excitement and hype surrounding Liverpool at the start of the season, particularly with the arrival of the new manager.
"It is an exciting time at the club and I am looking forward to it. I think it's an exciting start, there are some great fixtures and plenty to look forward to."
New manager Rodgers has already spoken about making Anfield a fortress again and Fairclough believes a strong record on home turf could be the key to Liverpool's top-four hopes in 2012-13.
He added: "I think it's important Liverpool make Anfield a difficult place to visit again. A bad home record didn't do us any favours last season and clearly we have to make Anfield as difficult a place as we can for opponents.
"We have to make sure the opposition will come to Anfield knowing that they are going to get a very tough game and the chances of taking something away with them will be slight.
"Playing Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in our first three home games is an exciting prospect and it is as difficult for them as it is for us. These teams won't be relishing coming to Anfield so early on.
"You know at some point you will come up against the big sides. The fact that we have got a few of them early on isn't ideal, but we will hope to pick up a little bit of momentum as early as we can."
The Reds will kick off the new campaign with a trip to West Bromwich Albion and an early reunion with former assistant manager Steve Clarke, who recently left Anfield to take over at the Hawthorns.
Fairclough said: "Football always throws up a lot of coincidences like this and I'm sure Steve will be looking at it with mixed emotions.
"We've had a couple of tricky games down at West Brom in the last couple of years and it's never an easy place to go. I'm sure Steve will want to put one over on us and it brings together two managers who know each other very well, so it's going to be an interesting game."
Rodgers recently revealed his plans to implement a passing style attacking game at Liverpool.
While that is something Fairclough believes will excite the fans, he insists it's important to be patient and not demand instant success.
He added: "Brendan has had the experience of the Premier League now and he knows what it's all about. He knows what to expect from the big sides and he will have a fixed game plan.
"It's very difficult to say how long it will take to get Liverpool playing to the style the manager wants. If you look at the Euros, some of the teams in that tournament are playing that style.
"It's a case of establishing people's confidence and getting them comfortable with that style. It won't happen overnight but hopefully with the quality of players that we have it won't take that long."