Liverpool will discover their opponents in the 2026/2027 Champions League League Phase on Thursday, with several daunting potential match-ups awaiting Andoni Iraola's side.
Draw format and key dates
Thirty-six teams enter the League Phase, with Liverpool playing eight games against two teams from each of the four pots. Teams cannot face another side from the same country at this stage.
The top eight qualify directly for the last 16. Teams finishing between ninth and 28th enter a two-legged play-off round, with the eight winners advancing as unseeded teams. Sides finishing between 29th and 36th are eliminated. The tournament begins on September 8.
Pot 1 threats: PSG and Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain, the back-to-back European champions, knocked Liverpool out of the tournament in each of the last two seasons. Liverpool have won just three of their eight meetings with the Parisians. The match-up could gain extra spice if PSG winger Bradley Barcola joins the Reds before transfer deadline day.
Real Madrid remain a formidable prospect despite Liverpool beating them twice in the Champions League in the last two years. The Spanish giants defeated Liverpool in the 2018 and 2022 European Cup finals. A reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold, booed at Anfield last season, would add tension, as would facing Jose Mourinho, now Real's manager. However, Liverpool cannot face Real at Anfield due to a UEFA rule change.
Pot 2 and Pot 3 dangers
Borussia Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac, have troubled Liverpool historically, with the Reds winning just two of five meetings. Their last encounter was in 2016, when Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool won 4-3 in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Roma, back in the competition for the first time since 2019, have beaten Liverpool in three of seven meetings, including a 4-2 win at the Stadio Olimpico in a 2018 semi-final. Galatasaray, a bogey side, have won three of the last four meetings, though Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield last season. Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is in stunning form.
Pot 4: Como
Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, will make their first-ever Champions League appearance. Liverpool faced them twice in pre-season. Como finished fourth in Serie A last season, ahead of Milan, Juventus and Atalanta, and will host games at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia while building a new stand at the Stadio Sinigaglia.
