Liverpool’s participation in the Champions League next season will come with a strategic twist, as UEFA confirms a key change to the competition’s knockout format.

According to ESPN, the governing body has approved a rule adjustment that will now grant teams who finish higher in the league phase of the competition the right to host the second leg at home throughout the knockout rounds.

The change was ratified by UEFA’s club competitions committee in a recent meeting.

Last season’s format sent the top eight teams straight to the round of 16 and guaranteed them a home second leg.

UEFA to make Champions League rule change that could impact Liverpool next season	UEFA to make Champions League rule change next season in move that could have major impact on English clubs	UEFA confirm early Champions League boost for Liverpool ahead of 2025/26 season

The quarter-final and semi-final leg orders were subject to a draw.

That is no longer the case.

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From the 25/26 knockout stage onwards, teams finishing higher in the new league stage table will have home advantage in the second leg all the way through the tournament.

This could significantly benefit Liverpool, who topped the league stage this past season and would have secured home second legs had this rule been in place.

Playing the second leg at home can often offer a psychological and tactical edge, especially in tight European ties.

PSG knocked Liverpool out on penalties this season, although the 2nd leg was played at Anfield, but if the Reds had qualified, the second leg of their potential quarter-final wouldn’t have been at Anfield for sure.

This subtle rule change could become a pivotal factor in the Reds’ quest for a seventh European crown.

UEFA confirmed they won’t make any further changes for now and rejected proposals to scrap extra time or block same-nation clashes in early knockout rounds.

As it stands, Liverpool will enter next season with added incentive to finish high in the league phase.

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