Liverpool’s Champions League Fixtures: Dates confirmed – start vs. Atletico

Liverpool’s route to the Champions League knockout stages was plotted during Thursday’s draw, and their European campaign is to kick off against Atletico Madrid.

After a random draw by UEFA’s automated software, Liverpool’s eight opponents for the league phase were confirmed, with four matches at home and four away.

Arne Slot‘s side were drawn against Real Madrid (H), Inter (A), Atletico (H), Frankfurt (A), PSV (H), Marseille (A), Qarabag (H) and Galatasaray (A), with the first phase of the competition to run until mid-January.

And now fans can plot their travels with the dates for each of the eight fixtures now locked in.

In the UK, all fixtures will continue to be broadcast live by TNT Sports and Amazon Prime.

In the first edition of the new Champions League format, 16 points was enough to qualify for the top eight. Liverpool finished top with 21 and exited the competition at the last 16.

It could cause a re-think for how Slot approaches the first stage of the competition, though UEFA have sought to incentivise finishing in the top positions.

From this season, teams ranked one to four are guaranteed a home second leg in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, as long as they get there. The teams that finish first and second will also have home priority in the semi-finals.

Priority seeding will be passed over if a team of a lower seeding knocks outs ranks one to four.

It’s not the easiest run of fixtures that Liverpool could have been handed, as was also the case last season.

Then again, we said that this time last year and the Reds finished top of the 36-team group!

The opener against Atletico Madrid feels like an exciting way for Liverpool to start their European campaign, with Diego Simeone’s side always a tough opponent.

The trip to Galatasaray has the potential to be a huge challenge, however, not least because of their famously vociferous fans.

It is the visit of Real Madrid that clearly stands out the most, though, due to the Trent Alexander-Arnold factor.

Liverpool’s former right-back could be in for a tough reception when he returns to Anfield – that’s assuming he isn’t benched again, mind!

The prestige of playing Madrid always makes this a special fixture, but this one has the potential to have some added bite.

Meanwhile, finishing the group phase at home to Qarabag feels ideal, should Liverpool need a positive result on the night.

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