Liverpool will host reigning champions Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, managed by former player Xabi Alonso, in the new league phase format of the UEFA Champions League as they aim for their seventh European Cup under new manager Arne Slot.
On Thursday, UEFA held a draw ceremony in Monaco for the revamped Champions League group phase, which now features 36 teams organized into a single league table. Each team will compete in eight matches before the knockout rounds, an increase from previous seasons, with the final matchday scheduled for January 29.
In this format, each club will face eight different opponents, playing four home and four away matches, with two from each of the four seeded pots.
The standout matches for Liverpool will include the clash with Madrid and a reunion with Alonso, who was rumored to be in contention to succeed Jurgen Klopp but opted to remain at Leverkusen.
Real Madrid has triumphed over Liverpool in their last two Champions League finals, in 2018 and 2022.
During the draw, Liverpool also learned they will face RB Leipzig (away), AC Milan (away), Lille (home), PSV Eindhoven (away), Bologna (home), and Girona (away).
The top eight teams in the league phase will proceed directly to the round of 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a knockout play-off to qualify for the next round. The bottom 12 teams will be eliminated from the competition.
Liverpool last secured the Champions League title in 2019, defeating Tottenham in the final. This will mark the club’s first European campaign with Slot, who has won both of his initial matches in charge.