Liverpool return to the UEFA Champions League in 2025/26 with a point to prove.
Under Arne Slot, the Reds ended last season as Premier League champions for a record 20th time. Yet, their European journey ended in heartbreak when Paris Saint-Germain eliminated them in the Round of 16 on penalties after a tense two-legged battle.
Determined to bounce back, Slot and the club have strengthened aggressively over the summer. Explosive right-back Jeremie Frimpong has been brought in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Milos Kerkez provides a fresh option on the left.
Midfield creativity has been boosted by the arrival of Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitiké joins the attack to add variety to Liverpool’s forward line.
There’s also talk of a move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, an addition that would further elevate an already potent squad.
With domestic glory secured and new signings bedding in, Liverpool now set their sights firmly on Europe’s biggest prize.
So here is your Liverpool Champions League 2025/26 Schedule.
Liverpool Champions League 2025/26 Schedule
A Look Back: Liverpool’s 24/25 Champions League Journey
Liverpool’s 2024/25 Champions League campaign began with promise but ended in disappointment. Drawn into a challenging league-phase lineup alongside Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, and RB Leipzig, they made a statement early on.
A 3-1 victory away at AC Milan in September set the tone, followed by dominant home wins over Bologna (2-0) and Leverkusen (4-0).
November’s 2-0 triumph over Real Madrid at Anfield was a highlight, proving Liverpool could still match Europe’s elite.
But cracks began to show in January. A 3-2 defeat away to PSV Eindhoven raised questions about defensive resilience, though qualification to the knockouts was sealed with a 2-1 win over Lille and a 1-0 away victory at Girona.
The Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain was a tale of fine margins. Liverpool stunned PSG with a 1-0 first-leg win in Paris, only for the French champions to respond with a 1-0 victory at Anfield, forcing penalties.
Under the Anfield lights, PSG held their nerve, winning 4-1 in the shootout and sending Liverpool home early. For a team built on European pedigree, the loss was a harsh reminder of the unforgiving nature of this competition.
Who’s in the 2025/26 Champions League League Phase?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League features 36 teams in its league phase, with 29 clubs qualifying automatically through their domestic leagues or as titleholders.
Paris Saint-Germain secured their place as defending Champions League winners, while Tottenham entered as Europa League holders.
The remaining seven spots will be filled via qualifiers in July and August.
Confirmed automatic qualifiers:
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England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle
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Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
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Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
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Germany: Bayern München, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund
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France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
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Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Ajax
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Portugal: Sporting CP
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Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise
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Türkiye: Galatasaray
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Czechia: Slavia Praha
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Greece: Olympiacos
Key Dates: Liverpool Champions League 2025/26 Schedule
League Phase Matchdays
The league phase will see each team play eight matches against opponents from different seeding pots, beginning in September and concluding in late January.
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Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
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Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
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Matchday 3: 21–22 October 2025
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Matchday 4: 4–5 November 2025
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Matchday 5: 25–26 November 2025
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Matchday 6: 9–10 December 2025
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Matchday 7: 20–21 January 2026
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Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
Knockout Phase
Clubs finishing in the top eight of the league phase progress directly to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9th–24th will battle it out in a knockout playoff round.
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Play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
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Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
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Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
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Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
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Final: 30 May 2026 – Puskás Aréna, Budapest
Draw Dates to Remember
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First Qualifying Round: 17 June 2025
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Second Qualifying Round: 18 June 2025
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Third Qualifying Round: 21 July 2025
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Play-off Round: 4 August 2025
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League Phase Draw: 28 August 2025
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Knockout Phase Play-off Draw: 30 January 2026
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Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final, and Final Draws: 27 February 2026
Liverpool Champions League 2025/26 Schedule – FAQs
When is the Liverpool Champions League 2025/26 draw?
The draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase will take place on 28 August 2025 in Monaco. This is when Liverpool will discover their eight league-phase opponents.
Which teams are in the 2025/26 Champions League with Liverpool?
Liverpool will compete against Europe’s elite in the 36-team league phase.
Confirmed participants include Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle, and more.
Seven additional clubs will qualify through the summer play-offs.
What is Liverpool’s Champions League 2025/26 schedule?
The league phase runs from 16–18 September 2025 through 28 January 2026. If Liverpool progress, they will enter the knockout rounds starting February 2026, culminating in the final on 30 May 2026 in Budapest.
How does the new Champions League format work in 2025/26?
The traditional group stage has been replaced by a 36-team league phase. Each club plays eight matches against teams from four different seeding pots.
The top eight progress directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th–24th battle in a knockout play-off to join them.
Where is the 2026 Champions League final being played?
The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on 30 May 2026.
