LFC Live - Liverpool handed nightmare Champions League run as Trent Alexander-Arnold reunion confirmed

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Liverpool were drawn against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Qarabag in the Champions League league phase(Image: Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Liverpool have been handed a nightmare Champions League schedule as Trent Alexander-Arnold's fiercely anticipated return has been confirmed.

All eyes will be on the Premier League champions as they look improve on last season's showing in the elite European competition.

Arne Slot's side surprised many as they breezed through the League Phase to top the standings after eight games.

The Reds went near-perfect as defeat in their final group fixture against PSV Eindhoven denied Slot's side an 100 percent record.

With a blockbuster summer of transfer activity, Liverpool will not be going into this season's competition overlooked with the focus on whether this newly-assembled side can mix it in the most competitive league in the world and challenge for European superiority.

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There are plenty of narratives surrounding Liverpool's Champions League draw with Alexander-Arnold set for a hostile reception at Anfield, while Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike come up against their former clubs in PSV Eindhoven and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.

Liverpool will kick off their Champions League campaign at home to Atletico Madrid on September 16, which will mean their Carabao Cup tie against Southampton will be moved to the week commencing September 22.

However, that European fixture will fall between their return to competitive action against Burnley after the international break and their Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield on September 20.

Matchday two will see Liverpool travel to Galatasaray but the encounter is wedged in between back-to-back trips to the capital where the Reds face Crystal Palace (September 27, 3pm kick-off) and Chelsea (October 4, 5:30pm kick-off).

Following the second international break in October, Eintracht Frankfurt will take on Liverpool days after their showdown against Manchester United on October 19, before a trip to Brentford for the early kick-off.

The gruelling run will continue into November with their title-race six-pointer against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 8 but may move due to television scheduling, days before Alexander-Arnold comes to Anfield with Real Madrid on November 4.

Their encounter with PSV Eindhoven scheduled for November 26 will fall between clashes against fellow European hopefuls, Nottingham Forest, and strugglers West Ham United.

Matchday six against Inter Milan will be the last for Mohamed Salah before he captains Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

During that period, he could miss Premier League title-defining matches against Tottenham (December 20), Wolves (December 27), Leeds United (December 30), Fulham (January 3), Arsenal (January 7) and Burnley (January 17).

Liverpool will be hoping to have their place in the knockout stages confirmed by matchday seven, away to Marseille, and eight when they close the phase at home to Qarabag where they can rest some of their key players.

The conclusion of the League Phase will come before the visit of Newcastle United.

Atletico Madrid, H, September 17, 8pmGalatasaray, A, September 30, 8pmEintracht Frankfurt, A, October 22, 8pmReal Madrid, H, November 4, 8pmPSV Eindhoven, H, November 26, 8pmInter Milan, A, December 9, 8pmMarseille, A, January 21, 8pmQarabag, H, January 28, 8pm

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