Latest Liverpool news and rumours ahead of next week’s Champions League League Phase draw
A view of the UEFA Champions League trophy(Image: Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The 2025/26 season is well underway after Liverpool recorded a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth in their opening Premier League game and now they are just over a week away from discovering their Champions League league phase opponents.
Arne Slot’s side topped the new-look table last season, winning seven of their eight games and losing just once. However, their round of 16 draw proved too great a challenge, as they fell to a penalty shootout defeat against eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain after a 1-1 draw over two legs.
Next week, the road to Budapest truly begins as Liverpool aim to go even further in UEFA’s premier competition. So, here is everything you need to know about next week’s league phase draw.
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The draw will take place on Thursday, August 28 at 5pm UK time. It will be staged in Monaco and will follow the same format as last year.
What is the format?
All 36 participating teams, including Liverpool, will be split into four pots based on their UEFA coefficient. The draw will begin with pot one, with a physical ball drawn before automated software, which was used last year, selects eight opponents.
The software will pick two teams from each of the four pots, with one home and one away match against each. No teams from the same association can be drawn against each other, meaning Liverpool cannot face any of their Premier League rivals in the league phase. They can, however, face up to two opponents from the same association.
This process will repeat until all pairings are drawn. Liverpool will be in pot one alongside PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona.
When will we know the exact dates and times?
By the end of the draw, Liverpool will know their eight opponents, but the official Champions League fixture list with all match dates and kick-off times will be communicated no later than Saturday, August 30.
When are the league phase matches?
Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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£43
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
When are the knockout games?
Knockout phase play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026
Where will the Champions League final take place?
As mentioned, next year’s Champions League final on May 30 will be staged at the Puskas Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
How much prize money will clubs make?
Based on last year’s figures, in the league phase of the competition, every win earns a club £1.8m, while a draw brings in £590,000. Clubs that finish in the top eight and qualify directly for the round of 16 receive an additional £1.7m, and teams are also awarded £233,000 for each place in the league phase table.
Last season, after finishing top, Liverpool earned £8.4m from the league phase alone. UEFA then rewards clubs for progressing through the knockout stages, with £9.4m for reaching the round of 16, £10.7m for the quarter-finals, £12.9m for the semi-finals, £15.9m for the runner-up, and £21.5m for the eventual winner.