Liverpool could face a nightmare Champions League draw in 2026/27, with PSG, Real Madrid and Galatasaray among the sides they will be desperate to avoid. The Reds are set to discover their fate when the league phase draw is completed on Thursday.
Pot 1 threats: PSG and Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain, the back-to-back European champions, are a daunting prospect for any club. Luis Enrique's side have knocked Liverpool out of the competition in each of the last two seasons, and the Reds have won just three of their eight historical meetings with the Parisians. There could be additional intrigue should PSG winger Bradley Barcola complete a move to Liverpool before the transfer deadline.
Real Madrid remain an imposing force despite Liverpool defeating them twice in the Champions League over the past two years. The Spanish giants also beat the Reds in European Cup finals in 2018 and 2022. A reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to Anfield last season with Madrid and was met with jeers, would add further spice, though a change in UEFA rules means Liverpool cannot host Real at Anfield this season. Jose Mourinho now leads the Spanish giants.
Pot 2 and Pot 3: Dortmund, Roma, Galatasaray and Napoli
Borussia Dortmund, whom Liverpool have not faced since 2016, have won just two of their five meetings against the Bundesliga side. Roma return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019, and Liverpool have triumphed over them only three times in seven encounters, with their most recent clash ending in a 4-2 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico in a 2018 semi-final that Liverpool ultimately progressed through.
Galatasaray are a bogey side for Liverpool: despite a 4-0 win at Anfield last season, the Reds have suffered three consecutive defeats against them and have managed just two victories from seven meetings overall. Victor Osimhen's prowess makes them a draw Iraola will hope to avoid. Napoli, who finished 30th in last season's league phase, boast the midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne, and Liverpool have beaten them only three times in eight meetings, including a 4-1 away defeat in 2022.
Pot 4: Bodo/Glimt and Como
FK Bodo/Glimt reached the quarter-finals last year, defeating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham and Inter Milan, and secured their place by beating NEC Nijmegen 6-1 on aggregate. Como, making their first-ever appearance in the competition, finished fourth in Serie A last season ahead of Milan, Juventus and Atalanta. Cesc Fabregas' side will stage their Champions League matches at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia while a new stand is built at the Stadio Sinigaglia.
