Liverpool begin their UEFA Champions League 2024-25 campaign on September 18, when they take on the Italian giants AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium. The six-time champions will take on Real Madrid at Anfield on November 28.
The Reds are the most successful Premier League team in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) history with six titles. Their last UCL title was won in 2018-19.
The biggest change in the Liverpool camp this year will be the absence of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp, who stepped down at the end of the 2023-24 season after nine successful years at the helm. Arne Slot has been brought in as his replacement.
On the playing side, Liverpool will be without the services of Thiago Alcantara, who announced his retirement last season. They have signed Italian winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus.
The New Format
This is the first time that the new UEFA Champions League format will be in action. 36 clubs from Europe's top football competitions will battle in a league phase (former group stage) in this UCL 2024-25 season. The clubs will play eight matches against eight different teams, half of which will be played at home and half away. The results of all eight matches will determine the overall ranking of the club on the league table, with the top eight sides automatically qualifying for the UCL round of 16.
The clubs positioned 9th to 24th will compete in a two-legged knock-out phase play-offs, the winners of which will secure the remaining eight spots in the round of 16. The rest of the clubs will be eliminated.
Liverpool's Group Stage Opponents
The eight clubs that Liverpool have been drawn against are Real Madrid, AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Bologna, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Girona, LOSC Lille and PSV Eindhoven. Liverpool’s away fixtures will be against AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Girona and PSV Eindhoven.
The opening fixture against seven-time UCL champions AC Milan on September 18 will be a highlight of matchday 1. The two clubs have met twice in UCL finals, with Liverpool winning in 2004-05 and Milan claiming the trophy in 2006-07.
Key Battles
One of the biggest clashes for the Reds will be against defending champions Real Madrid on November 28 at Anfield. Liverpool lost to Los Blancos in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 UCL finals.
UCL 2024-25 Schedule
The league phase of UCL 2024-25 will commence on September 17 and end on January 30. The final will be played on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Busy Schedule
Apart from the UCL 2024-25, Liverpool will simultaneously compete in the Premier League, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Kick-off Times in IST
All times in India Standard Time (IST)
Matchday 1: September 18, 2024
- AC Milan vs Liverpool: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 2: September 25, 2024
- Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 3: October 2, 2024
- Girona vs Liverpool: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 4: October 16, 2024
- Liverpool vs RB Leipzig: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 5: October 23, 2024
- Liverpool vs LOSC Lille: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 6: November 6, 2024
- Bologna vs Liverpool: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 7: November 28, 2024
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid: 12:30 AM (IST)
Matchday 8: December 12, 2024
- PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool: 12:30 AM (IST)
Conclusion: A Thrilling Campaign
With a new format and a new manager, Liverpool's UCL 2024-25 campaign promises to be an exciting and challenging one. Their journey begins with an away fixture against AC Milan, and they will face the challenge of defending champions Real Madrid on November 28. With a busy schedule ahead, the Reds will be looking to make a strong start to the season.
