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Liverpool will begin their defense of the Premier League title on 12 September when they host Leeds United at Anfield.
There will be a number of questions about transfers, preseason workouts and potential key player injuries to consider if the Reds will be able to repeat last year’s title win this time.
However, a BBC football expert believes it is something entirely different that will prove to be the biggest “concern” for the champions this year: the lack of fans in the stadiums.
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Fans are not expected to be able to attend matches in the top flight until at least October and capacity is expected to be limited when they are welcomed for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown began.
Fans have already missed seeing Jurgen Klopp’s team lift the Premier League trophy in person and will have to continue cheering them on from their homes when the new campaign begins later this month.
Kieron Dyer believes that the lack of fans at Anfield could be an obstacle to Liverpool’s efforts to try to win the title for the second consecutive season, as he admitted that the Reds’ home was one of the most intimidating he visited during his career.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, the former Newcastle United player said: “I think the biggest concern Liverpool have is that Anfield does not have their fans,” Dyer told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I was lucky enough to play in a lot of great stadiums, but that’s the most intimidating stadium to play.
“They [the fans] give them such energy. They are like the cliche ‘man 12’. I played several times at Anfield and I never played well.
“I think it’s the only thing that could be an obstacle for Liverpool.”
Liverpool have not lost at Anfield since April 2017 in a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace and are currently undefeated at home in the league for 46 matches.
However, after the restart, with fans not in attendance, LFC lost points at home for the first time all season in a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Some teams seemed to struggle with no fans in the stadiums after the restart at the end of the last campaign, but only time will tell how much of an impact it will have from day one of a new season.
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