Liverpool vs Real Madrid 'banned' as UEFA rules explained

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Liverpool will essentially be prevented from meeting Real Madrid in the opening stage of next season's Champions League, assuming both clubs qualify for Europe's premier tournament. Nevertheless, according to paragraph 16.03 of the UEFA Champions League regulations, the two clubs are unable to meet each other in next year's league phase version of the competition.

The regulation says: "In accordance with paragraph 16.03 of the UEFA Champions League regulations, the UEFA Club Competitions Committee has determined an additional condition that may be applicable to the UEFA Champions League draw for the 2026/27 season, deciding that any individual fixture between the same two teams may not be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three consecutive seasons. Liverpool beat Real Madrid last season (Image: Getty Images) "This means that if any teams that already played against each other in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024/25 season are again drawn against each other, with the same home team, in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in this 2025/26 season, those teams will not be able to be drawn against each other with the same home team in the 2026/27 season (although, for the sake of clarity, those teams could still be drawn against each other at the venue of the other team)." The clash at Anfield on Tuesday will carry additional significance this time following Trent Alexander-Arnold's summer switch from Liverpool to Real Madrid.

I'll always love the club, I'll always be a fan of the club," he said. I've got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won't change.