Liverpool’s Champions League Draw: Potential Opponents and Group-Stage Breakdown
Liverpool return to the pinnacle of European football this season, ready to challenge in the revamped Champions League after a year away. With the draw imminent, anticipation is building around who the Reds will face in this new-look competition.
Having been absent from Europe’s elite stage for a season, Slot’s men are eager to reclaim their status among the continent’s best. The last time Liverpool exited at the group stage was over a decade ago, so expectations are high for a deep run in the 2024/25 campaign.
How the Champions League Draw Works
The draw for this season’s Champions League will take place on Thursday at 5 pm BST. This year, all 36 qualified teams will be placed into one massive group and handed eight fixtures—four at home and four away. Each team will face two opponents from each of the four seeding pots, setting the stage for some thrilling matchups.
Liverpool, as one of the top-seeded teams, will avoid fellow Pot 1 giants like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage. However, they are sure to encounter some tough competition from the other pots.
Liverpool’s Seeding and Potential Opponents
Liverpool are placed in Pot 1 for this season’s draw, thanks to their fifth-highest UEFA coefficient. This elite status ensures they will avoid other top-ranked clubs in their initial fixtures.
In Pot 2, potential opponents include European heavyweights like Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and AC Milan. Pot 3 features clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Celtic, and RB Salzburg, while Pot 4 could see Liverpool facing the likes of Monaco, Bologna, or Stuttgart.
Importantly, Liverpool cannot be drawn against fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Aston Villa, or Arsenal, and they can face a maximum of two clubs from any single country outside England.
Best and Worst-Case Scenarios for Liverpool
Liverpool fans will be hoping for a favourable draw, with the dream scenario including clubs like RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, and Midtjylland. Such a draw would give Slot’s team a strong chance of topping the group and progressing comfortably into the knockout stages.
On the flip side, a nightmare draw could see Liverpool pitted against the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, which would undoubtedly create a formidable challenge right from the start.
Key Dates for Liverpool’s Champions League Campaign
Liverpool’s journey in this season’s Champions League begins in mid-September, with the following matchdays scheduled:
- Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024
- Matchday 2: October 1/2, 2024
- Matchday 3: October 22/23, 2024
- Matchday 4: November 5/6, 2024
- Matchday 5: November 26/27, 2024
- Matchday 6: December 10/11, 2024
- Matchday 7: January 21/22, 2025
- Matchday 8: January 29, 2025
The complete fixture list, including kick-off times and specific match dates, will be confirmed by UEFA after the draw.
As Liverpool prepare for another European adventure, the eyes of Anfield will be firmly fixed on Thursday’s draw, eagerly awaiting the announcement of their group-stage opponents. This season promises to be one of the most captivating European campaigns for the Reds, with dreams of lifting the coveted trophy once again.
