Liverpool are back in the UEFA Champions League for the 2025/26 season, returning to Europe’s biggest stage under new head coach Arne Slot.
They enter the competition with renewed determination, especially after last season’s Round of 16 exit to PSG left a sense of unfinished business.
Having reclaimed the Premier League title since then, the Reds now aim to convert domestic dominance into a deep European run.
With the revamped 36-team league phase entering its second year, every game will carry weight, and each draw could produce a clash worthy of the knockout rounds.
As anticipation builds, we take a look at the likely opponents for the league phase ahead of Thursday’s draw.
How the Champions League League Phase Draw Works
The draw for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase will take place on Thursday, 28 August 2025 in Monaco at 17:00 BST. The procedure remains the same as last season, the first to feature UEFA’s new Swiss-style format.
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36 teams will enter the league phase.
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27 teams qualify via their domestic league positions, while Champions League holders PSG, Europa League winners Tottenham, and seven play-off winners complete the lineup.
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Teams are divided into four pots based on UEFA’s club coefficient ranking.
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Starting with Pot 1, each club is drawn individually and assigned eight opponents via UEFA’s automated draw software.
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Each team plays eight matches: two against sides from each pot (one home, one away).
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Clubs cannot face sides from their own country or play more than two teams from any single nation.
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The full fixture list, including dates and kick-off times, will be published by 30 August 2025.
This format ensures Liverpool will face a varied and high-level set of opponents across Europe.
Confirmed 2025/26 Champions League Teams
England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Ajax
Portugal: Sporting CP
Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise
Türkiye: Galatasaray
Czechia: Slavia Prague
Greece: Olympiacos
2025–26 Champions League League Phase Pots
The 36 teams in this season’s UEFA Champions League are divided into four pots of nine clubs each.
These pots are determined by UEFA’s club coefficient rankings, calculated over the past five seasons of European competition.
Clubs with strong and consistent performances in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League occupy higher pots.
Here is how all 4 pots look like currently:
Pot 1
Real Madrid (Spain) – 143.500
Manchester City (England) – 137.750
Bayern Munich (Germany) – 135.250
Liverpool (England) – 125.500
Paris Saint-Germain (France) – 116.500
Inter (Italy) – 116.250
Chelsea (England) – 109.000
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – 106.750
Barcelona (Spain) – 103.250
Pot 2
Arsenal (England) – 98.000
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) – 95.250
Atlético Madrid (Spain) – 93.500
Atalanta (Italy) – 82.000
Villarreal (Spain) – 82.000
Juventus (Italy) – 74.250
Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) – 74.000
Pot 2/3
Tottenham Hotspur (England) – 70.250
Pot 3
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) – 69.250
Ajax (Netherlands) – 67.250
Napoli (Italy) – 61.000
Sporting CP (Portugal) – 59.000
Olympiacos (Greece) – 56.500
Slavia Prague (Czechia) – 51.000
Marseille (France) – 48.000
Pot 3/4
Monaco (France) – 41.000
Pot 4
Galatasaray (Türkiye) – 38.250
Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) – 36.000
Athletic Club (Spain) – 26.750
Newcastle United (England) – 23.039
Likely Opponents for Liverpool
With Liverpool in Pot 1, they will be drawn against two teams from each pot, subject to UEFA’s association rules. This means no clashes with fellow English sides like Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, or Newcastle, but all other clubs remain possible opponents.
The Reds could once again find themselves in high-profile battles with Europe’s elite. A rematch with Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked them out last season, would provide an immediate test of Arne Slot’s new-look side.
There’s also a strong chance of crossing paths with Real Madrid, who they dispatched in last year’s group stage, or Bayer Leverkusen, a side they thrashed at Anfield last October.
UEFA’s distribution often throws up familiar foes, making a repeat clash with PSV Eindhoven highly plausible, while a German opponent such as Borussia Dortmund or Eintracht Frankfurt is likely due to the number of Bundesliga clubs involved.
Spanish representation beyond Real is also probable, with Atlético Madrid or Villarreal potential opponents.
Potential Draw Composition:
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From Pot 1: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona
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From Pot 2: Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Atalanta, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt
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From Pot 3: PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Marseille
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From Pot 4: Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise, Athletic Club
FAQs – Liverpool Champions League 25/26: Likely Opponents
1. How are the Champions League pots decided?
The pots are determined by UEFA’s club coefficient rankings, which are calculated based on each club’s performance in European competitions over the past five seasons. Higher-ranked teams go into Pot 1, while newer or lower-ranked teams are placed in Pots 3 and 4.
2. Can Liverpool face other English teams in the league phase?
No. UEFA rules prevent clubs from the same national association from facing each other in the league phase. Liverpool cannot face Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, or Newcastle until the knockout rounds.
3. How many matches will Liverpool play in the league phase?
Liverpool will play eight matches – two opponents from each pot (one home and one away), ensuring a varied mix of top-tier and lower-seeded teams.
4. Who are Liverpool’s most likely big-name opponents?
Possible marquee opponents include Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Inter, all of whom are in Pot 1 and not from England.
5. When will the full Champions League fixture list be released?
The league phase draw takes place on Thursday, 28 August 2025 in Monaco, and UEFA will release the full fixture list with match dates and kick-off times by Saturday, 30 August 2025.
