Best and worst case scenarios as Liverpool to discover Champions League opponents today
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Liverpool face an intriguing UEFA Champions League group stage draw for the 2025/26 season, set for Thursday, August 28, at 5 pm BST in Monaco. The Reds, who topped last season’s inaugural league-phase format, will discover eight opponents from an expanded pool of 36 clubs across Europe in this second year of the revamped competition.
Unlike previous seasons with groups of four, the league phase now involves playing eight teams, with one home and one away match against two clubs from each of four seeding pots. Rules prevent Liverpool from drawing teams from the English Premier League or facing more than two teams from any single country, making for a complex and strategic draw.
Although familiar European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Napoli are likely opponents this season, Liverpool may also be drawn to face some newcomers to the Champions League’s league phase. Notably, three clubs have qualified for the first time: Bodø/Glimt from Norway, Pafos from Cyprus, and Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan.
Bodø/Glimt is the most recognizable of these newcomers, having recently reached the Europa League semi-finals before losing to Tottenham Hotspur last season. Pafos, founded only a year before Liverpool’s Joe Gomez turned professional, made a surprise run by eliminating Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 European champions. Kairat Almaty shocked many by defeating Celtic on penalties and will offer a notably long travel trip, given their location near the Chinese border.
These debutant clubs represent uncharted territory for Liverpool, offering unique away-day experiences in European competition. The full fixture list, including dates and kick-off times, will be published by UEFA no later than August 30, setting the stage for Liverpool’s European campaign under manager Arne Slot as they aim to add continental success to their recent domestic triumphs.
```
PP