Liverpool handed relatively tough Champions League league-phase draw – here are the key dates

Liverpool have been handed a difficult path in the league phase of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League following Thursday’s draw in Monaco.

Led by Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who enters his ninth consecutive season with the club, the Reds will face a series of European heavyweights as well as tricky away trips across the continent.

Arne Slot’s side were drawn against Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Qarabağ, and Galatasaray in the newly formatted league stage.

Liverpool will play four matches at Anfield — against Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag — while their away schedule includes visits to Inter, Marseille, Frankfurt, and Galatasaray.

Champions League league-stage calendar

• Matchday 1: September 16–18, 2025

• Matchday 2: September 30–October 1, 2025

• Matchday 3: October 21–22, 2025

• Matchday 4: November 4–5, 2025

• Matchday 5: November 25–26, 2025

• Matchday 6: December 9–10, 2025

• Matchday 7: January 20–21, 2026

• Matchday 8: January 28, 2026

The tie with Real Madrid stands out as another high-profile clash, with the two clubs meeting in the Champions League league stage for the second straight season. Last year, the Reds exited the competition at the round of 16 after falling to Paris Saint-Germain.

With Salah continuing to lead the attack, they will be aiming to achieve good results on the European stage — but the draw leaves them with little margin for error.

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