It might not have been a blank cheque from the club’s warring American owners but Rafa Benitez must still have been pleasantly surprised with the gift which arrived on the day he celebrated his fourth anniversary as Liverpool manager this week.
The Reds may have to travel on the opening day of the Premier League season for the fifth successive campaign but there was little else to complain about when the fixture computer produced its annual offering.
A trip to Roy Keane’s Sunderland on Saturday, August 16 followed by a home clash with Middlesbrough undoubtedly gives the Reds a great chance to get off to a flyer.
And a glance at his side's fixtures following Champions League matches and international breaks also made good reading for Benitez, especially when compared to those handed to Manchester United.
England play a meaningless friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday, August 20 but while the Reds plan to entertain Boro the following Saturday, Alex Ferguson must take his side to face FA Cup holders Portsmouth.
In early September the domestic season is interrupted for a fortnight as England begin their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.
When it resumes on September 13 - just three days after England have played in Zagreb - the Reds take on United at Anfield in the first battle of the campaign between the 'Big Four'.
As long as the Reds have safely negotiated their way past the qualifying round in August, attention will then turn to the first round of matches in the group stage of the Champions League.
But while United complete a gruelling seven days after their opening European match with a crunch trip to Chelsea, the Reds have the seemingly more straightforward task of entertaining new boys Stoke City.
The Reds' matches following the other five rounds in the Champions League group stage would be Manchester City (away), Chelsea (away), West Brom (home), West Ham (home) and Hull (home).
In contrast United are on their travels after every round of the Champions League with further away days at Blackburn, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Post European fatigue could just be a telling factor.
On top of that, United's matches against Fulham on August 30 and Wigan on December 20 will need to be re-arranged due to their commitments in the European Super Cup and World Club Championship.
Ferguson, who received the news of the fixtures at his holiday home in the south of France this week, will undoubtedly be deeply unimpressed with his side's schedule.
Benitez has frequently complained about the short time he gets to work with his players after internationals but the Reds are also winners when it comes to Premier League matches following international breaks early next season.
After England's double-header with Kazakhstan and Belarus in October, the Reds resume domestic duty at home to Wigan the following Saturday and United entertain West Brom.
Similarly, after the friendly against Germany in Berlin on November 19, the Reds host Fulham, while United hit the road for a tricky trip to Aston Villa.
Chelsea and Arsenal also have three away games straight after international fixtures.
Benitez's only concern now will be the number of times Sky ask his players to kick off at lunchtime.
It happened nine times in the Premier League last season and was a source of great frustration for the Anfield boss.
However, even that logistical problem should be eased by the fact that so often after European and international games, the Reds will benefit from home advantage this time around.
Of course, it will all count for little if Liverpool toss away points at Anfield as carelessly as they did last season.
But for a manager who prides himself on the small details, Benitez will know that lady luck has smiled on his side ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.
The Reds may have to travel on the opening day of the Premier League season for the fifth successive campaign but there was little else to complain about when the fixture computer produced its annual offering.
A trip to Roy Keane’s Sunderland on Saturday, August 16 followed by a home clash with Middlesbrough undoubtedly gives the Reds a great chance to get off to a flyer.
And a glance at his side's fixtures following Champions League matches and international breaks also made good reading for Benitez, especially when compared to those handed to Manchester United.
England play a meaningless friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday, August 20 but while the Reds plan to entertain Boro the following Saturday, Alex Ferguson must take his side to face FA Cup holders Portsmouth.
In early September the domestic season is interrupted for a fortnight as England begin their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.
When it resumes on September 13 - just three days after England have played in Zagreb - the Reds take on United at Anfield in the first battle of the campaign between the 'Big Four'.
As long as the Reds have safely negotiated their way past the qualifying round in August, attention will then turn to the first round of matches in the group stage of the Champions League.
But while United complete a gruelling seven days after their opening European match with a crunch trip to Chelsea, the Reds have the seemingly more straightforward task of entertaining new boys Stoke City.
The Reds' matches following the other five rounds in the Champions League group stage would be Manchester City (away), Chelsea (away), West Brom (home), West Ham (home) and Hull (home).
In contrast United are on their travels after every round of the Champions League with further away days at Blackburn, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Post European fatigue could just be a telling factor.
On top of that, United's matches against Fulham on August 30 and Wigan on December 20 will need to be re-arranged due to their commitments in the European Super Cup and World Club Championship.
Ferguson, who received the news of the fixtures at his holiday home in the south of France this week, will undoubtedly be deeply unimpressed with his side's schedule.
Benitez has frequently complained about the short time he gets to work with his players after internationals but the Reds are also winners when it comes to Premier League matches following international breaks early next season.
After England's double-header with Kazakhstan and Belarus in October, the Reds resume domestic duty at home to Wigan the following Saturday and United entertain West Brom.
Similarly, after the friendly against Germany in Berlin on November 19, the Reds host Fulham, while United hit the road for a tricky trip to Aston Villa.
Chelsea and Arsenal also have three away games straight after international fixtures.
Benitez's only concern now will be the number of times Sky ask his players to kick off at lunchtime.
It happened nine times in the Premier League last season and was a source of great frustration for the Anfield boss.
However, even that logistical problem should be eased by the fact that so often after European and international games, the Reds will benefit from home advantage this time around.
Of course, it will all count for little if Liverpool toss away points at Anfield as carelessly as they did last season.
But for a manager who prides himself on the small details, Benitez will know that lady luck has smiled on his side ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.
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