Gerrard: Good start vital
Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool face a tough start to the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League season, but insisted: 'We've got to hit the ground running.'
The fixtures for the new league campaign were released at 9am on Friday morning and confirmed the Reds will begin at home to Sunderland on the weekend of August 13/14 in a match that could see Jordan Henderson make his debut against his former club.
A trip to the Emirates is next up, with Liverpool taking on Arsenal the following weekend.
Gerrard acknowledges it will be a testing opening to the new season, but is confident a good start can build momentum and set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.
The captain told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is a massive test early on. It's nice to have a home game first, the fans will be right up for it.
"Hopefully we will have a few new signings in and we can start the season with three points which would give us the confidence to then go and get a good result at Arsenal. That is a difficult place to go and we haven't won there for a while.
"It's important to hit the ground running if you want to compete for the title. You can't afford any slip-ups early on.
"It's a tough first two games but I'm really looking forward to them and I think we can get two positive results."
Click here for Liverpool's 2011-12 Barclays Premier League fixture list in full>>
