FSG must take note about what is going to happen at Anfield today

FSG must take note about what is going to happen at Anfield today when Liverpool face Brighton

In the latest Blood Red column, Ian Doyle looks at the impact of Anfield and why Arne Slot's Liverpool must now enjoy home comforts

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Arne Slot is navigating hurdles so confidently during the formative stages of his Liverpool tenure that he's not far off having a potential Grand National winner being named after him. But if a second game in less than 72 hours against Brighton represents a familiar obstacle, there is another with which the Reds must now contend.

And it will make all the difference in transforming a good start to the season into a great one.

Victory against the Seagulls in the League Cup fourth round in midweek, which ensured Liverpool's ongoing defence of a trophy they won so thrillingly back in February, was the midway point in a run of seven games that, after their comparatively more comfortable tasks during the opening weeks of the season, is expected to paint a more accurate picture of where the Reds stand during Slot's fledgling reign.

So far, so good, Liverpool indicating their impressive start was more than just a fortunate fixture list, particularly given three consecutive tricky away games - a Champions League clash at RB Leipzig was followed by last weekend's Premier League blockbuster at Arsenal - yielded two wins and a draw to go with the hard-earned home victory over Chelsea that started the run.

Now Liverpool are back at Anfield three times in a week for the conclusion of their testing recent schedule, with a Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League visit of Aston Villa to follow before this month's international break.

But the struggle in overcoming Chelsea was indicative of the Reds not quite having it all their own way at what under Jurgen Klopp once again become a fortress.

Slot readily admitted Liverpool were outplayed for long periods by the Londoners and was unhappy with certain aspects of the performance. And the controlled, composed style under the Dutchman, which makes perfect sense on the road, continues to require adjustment from fans and players at home.

Both Brentford and Bournemouth were despatched easily enough early in the campaign - although the latter contributed to their own downfall by refusing to park the bus - while West Ham United were eventually beaten in the League Cup by a flurry of late goals.

But that defeat against the low block of Nottingham Forest continues to linger in the mind, while Bologna had sufficient chances in the Champions League to suggest the margin of Liverpool's 2-0 victory flattered the hosts.

Brighton, who have scored on their last five visits to Anfield, are unlikely to sit back, and having lost only two of the last eight Premier League meetings between the sides have proven awkward opposition in recent times. Saturday could be one of Liverpool's more demanding home assignments of the season.

A precursor to the game will see a protest organised by supporters' union Spirit Of Shankly as part of the Football Supporters' Association's campaign Stop Exploiting Loyalty, with action planned across the Premier League this weekend. The SOS has joined forces with Fans Supporting Foodbanks and Dogma, a Brighton & Hove Albion fanzine.

The movement has been sparked by 19 out of 20 top-flight clubs raising ticket prices over the summer, with Liverpool having announced in March an increase of 2% that prompted supporter group Spion Kop 1906, who organise the flags and banners on a matchday, to impose a 'blackout' on the Kop for the Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta.

Liverpool's subsequent 3-0 thumping was unwanted evidence of the importance of supporter backing given the subdued atmosphere that was an understandable consequence of the protest.

Rather than a blanket ban, on Saturday a banner declaring the pointed message to 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty' will join the usual landscape on the Kop. Fenway Sports Group, the Liverpool owners, will surely be taking note.

That, along with the continuation of the Reds' strong start to the season, would represent the ideal afternoon for those fans who continue to spend their hard-earned on backing the team.

But Slot will know Liverpool can't take Anfield granted in much the same way the club cannot take as read the support which has helped make the stadium one of the most iconic and feared in world football.

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