“Liverpool to learn their Champions League opponents today, with both best and worst case scenarios in play.”

Liverpool will find out their eight Champions League opponents when the draw is held on Thursday evening.

This will be the second season under the competition’s new format, which sees all 36 teams placed in a single league table. The top eight will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round in February.

Last season, Liverpool finished top of the league phase but weren’t rewarded for it, drawing Paris Saint-Germain in the first knockout round. The French side won on penalties at Anfield and went on to win the tournament, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.

How the draw works:
Liverpool will face two teams from each of the four seeded pots—one at home and one away. They can’t be drawn against more than two teams from the same country, and none from England.

With this in mind, we’ve evaluated the best and worst possible outcomes for Arne Slot’s team, considering both the strength of the opposition and the travel demands.

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Best-Case Scenario for Liverpool

Pot 1: Inter (H), Dortmund (A)
Despite Inter winning at Anfield in 2022, Liverpool progressed on aggregate. With a new, untested manager in Cristian Chivu and the hangover of a humiliating Champions League final, they appear vulnerable. Dortmund remain competitive but are unlikely title contenders. Plus, it’s a top away trip for fans.

Pot 2: Benfica (H), Club Brugge (A)
Benfica narrowly got through the play-offs and no longer have Darwin Núñez to worry about. Club Brugge, while solid, are a beatable side, and the away trip is both enjoyable and manageable.

Pot 3: Slavia Prague (H), Ajax (A)
Slavia’s league doesn’t compare well to top European standards—Liverpool thrashed their city rivals Sparta 11-2 in 2024. Ajax are familiar opponents Liverpool have beaten in recent years, and visiting Amsterdam is always a fan favourite. There’s also added intrigue with Arne Slot’s former assistant, Johnny Heitinga, now in charge.

Pot 4: Kairat Almaty (H), Copenhagen (A)
Kairat, the lowest-ranked side in the draw, might’ve shocked Celtic but are likely outmatched at this level. Copenhagen are relatively strong but still a favorable matchup—and the travel is straightforward.

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Worst-Case Scenario for Liverpool

Pot 1: Real Madrid (H), PSG (A)
Despite last season’s win, Liverpool have suffered too many defeats to Real over the past decade. Back-to-back wins seem unlikely, and the narrative around Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t go away. PSG, now European champions, are also not ideal opponents so soon after their penalty shootout win at Anfield.

Pot 2: Atalanta (H), Atletico Madrid (A)
Atalanta have a strong record at Anfield, winning both their recent visits. Even with a new manager in Ivan Juric, they’d be tricky. Atletico Madrid have a long history of frustrating Liverpool, and with attackers like Griezmann and Álvarez, they’re a serious threat—plus the trip to Madrid is always a tough one.

Pot 3: Sporting Lisbon (H), Napoli (A)
Sporting have handled English teams well recently and consistently produce top-tier talent. Napoli, though, are the real danger here. Liverpool have lost three times in Naples over the past seven years, including a 4-1 loss in 2022. With their squad now even stronger, they’re the Pot 3 side to avoid.

Pot 4: Galatasaray (H), Kairat Almaty (A)
Galatasaray are tough, even away from home—they won at Old Trafford two seasons ago and now boast Victor Osimhen. Kairat may be weak, but the 7,000km trip to Kazakhstan would be a logistical nightmare, especially ahead of a domestic fixture pile-up.