Liverpool Discovers Their Champions League Fate: Who Could the Reds Face in 2025-26?
Liverpool are hungry for additional glory in Arne Slot's sophomore campaign as manager and will be determined to advance further in the Champions League.
No club performed better than Liverpool during the first-ever UEFA Champions League league phase last season. Nevertheless, the Reds were eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16 following a devastating penalty shootout loss to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the current Premier League champions are ready to return with renewed determination. Following a summer transfer window where they spent more than any European club, the strengthened Reds appear intimidating.
Liverpool haven't progressed beyond the Champions League quarterfinals since reaching the final in 2021–22. This campaign, expectations are high to reverse that pattern and embark on a comparable journey, hopefully with a more favorable conclusion.
Here's an examination of Liverpool's potential first-round opponents, with the league phase draw scheduled for Thursday.
What 2025–26 Champions League Pot Are Liverpool In?
Liverpool are predictably placed in Pot 1, alongside most other tournament favorites. The pot assignments are primarily based on clubs' European competition performances over the past five seasons.
The Reds will commence their European campaign this season with eight fixtures, facing two teams from each pot, with one home and one away match.
Since UEFA prohibits teams from facing clubs from their own association in the opening European competition round, Slot's squad will avoid encounters with fellow Pot 1 teams Chelsea and Manchester City, plus Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Liverpool's 2025–26 Potential Champions League League Phase Opponents
Club | Nation | Pot |
|---|---|---|
PSG | France | 1 |
Real Madrid | Spain | 1 |
Bayern Munich | Germany | 1 |
Inter Milan | Italy | 1 |
Borussia Dortmund | Germany | 1 |
Barcelona | Spain | 1 |
Atlético Madrid | Spain | 2 |
Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | 2 |
Atalanta | Italy | 2 |
Villarreal | Spain | 2 |
Juventus | Italy | 2 |
Eintracht Frankfurt | Germany | 2 |
PSV Eindhoven | Netherlands | 3 |
Ajax | Netherlands | 3 |
Napoli | Italy | 3 |
Sporting CP | Portugal | 3 |
Olympiacos | Greece | 3 |
Bodø/Glimt | Norway | 3 |
Slavia Prague | Czechia | 3 |
Marseille | France | 3 |
Monaco | France | 4 |
Galatasaray | Türkiye | 4 |
Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgium | 4 |
Athletic Club | Spain | 4 |
Pafos | Cyprus | 4 |
Kairat | Kazkahstan | 4 |
Once the playoffs conclude, Liverpool will face 30 possible opponents. Most remaining qualifying teams will fill out Pot 4.
However, we already know the Reds are guaranteed some thrilling matchups. Liverpool will meet two clubs from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and PSG.
Liverpool might potentially encounter Bayer Leverkusen for consecutive seasons, which would pit record signing Florian Wirtz against his previous club. Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Juventus, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt— the latter being Hugo Ekitiké's former team—represent other possible Pot 2 adversaries.
PSV Eindhoven inflicted Liverpool's sole league phase defeat last season and remain a potential opponent again. Marseille, Slavia Prague, Olympiacos, Sporting CP, Bodø/Glimt, Ajax and Serie A winners Napoli round out the possible Pot 3 matchups.
Monaco joins Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise, Athletic Club, Pafos, Kairat as Liverpool's current possible Pot 4 encounters.
Liverpool's Toughest Potential 2025–26 Champions League League Phase Opponents
Paris Saint-Germain traveled to Anfield and eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League last season. Nearly a year later, the Parisians remain a formidable side and would represent a challenging league phase opponent for Liverpool.
A fixture against Real Madrid—whom Liverpool beat last season—would be captivating, featuring a clash with local hero turned adversary Trent Alexander-Arnold. Los Blancos, alongside La Liga winners Barcelona, could prove very challenging opponents for the Reds.
Bayern Munich and former Liverpool forward Luis Díaz have begun the season in prolific goalscoring form and consistently threaten to make an impact in Europe.
Liverpool will probably have little difficulty securing a top-24 league phase finish, but would prefer avoiding higher-seeded teams like Atlético Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and Athletic Club.