UPDATE: when is the Champions League draw? Liverpool’s pot and potential opponents Confirmed

The return of the world’s biggest club competition is almost upon us as the Reds prepare to return from their one year absence – but things will be slightly different this time aroundThe Champions League draw takes place next week

Liverpool will return to UEFA Champions League action for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign when it takes to the stage in next months first round of fixtures.

The Reds were resigned to the Europa League last time out after failing to secure a top four finish in the Premier League two seasons ago, but a third-place finish in 2023-24 ensures Anfield is back in the big time once more.

However, things are slightly different this time around. The Reds will no longer participate in a 32-team group stage, but rather a 36-team league phase, where each team plays eight games against different opponents, but in a joint group.

And with the final qualifying rounds taking place this week, there is no better time to look at who Liverpool’s potential opponents could be in this season’s Champions League. Here, Liverpool.com tells you everything you need to know.

When is the Champions League draw?
The draw for the league phase of the 2024-25 Champions League will take place at 5pm BST (12pm ET) on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

How to watch
The draw will be available to watch for free via a livestream on UEFA’s website on the day it takes place.

However, you will also be able to follow all the news and reactions to the draw on Liverpool.com.

How does the draw work?
The 36 teams will be separated into four pots of nine, based on their 2023 UEFA association coefficients. This takes into account their performance in European competitions from 2018–19 to 2022–23.

Each team will be drawn against two teams from each pot, but will only play one team from each pot at home and one team from each pot away – creating four home fixtures and four away fixtures.

After each of the 36 teams has played their eight games, the top eight in the league table will advance to the last 16. The teams that finish 9th to 24th will be drawn against each other in a two-legged knockout play-off round, with the winners advancing to the last 16.

The bottom 12 teams (25th or lower) will be eliminated from all European competitions completely, with no access to the UEFA Europa League.

Liverpool are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign
What pot are Liverpool in?
As a result of its overall performance in European competitions from 2018–19 to 2022–23, which includes the Champions League victory in 2019, Liverpool has been placed into Pot 1 for the league phase draw.

Also in Pot 1 is Champions League holders Real Madrid (SPA), Manchester City (ENG), Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Inter Milan (ITA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), RB Leipzig (GER) and Barcelona (SPA).

In Pot 2 is Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Atlético Madrid (SPA), Atalanta (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Benfica (POR), Arsenal (ENG), Club Brugge (BEL), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Milan (ITA).

In Pot 3 is Feyenoord (NED), Sporting CP (POR), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Celtic (SCO) and five more TBC.

In Pot 4 is Monaco (FRA), Aston Villa (ENG), Bologna (ITA), Girona (SPA), Stuttgart (GER), Sturm Graz (AUS), Brest (FRA), and two more TBC.