LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister walks out with a mascot before the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK at Anfield. Liverpool won 6-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have been dealt a tricky schedule, with the Reds facing tough games either side of most Champions League league phase matches.
Andoni Iraola‘s side are expected to qualify comfortably from the league phase, but it could affect their domestic form.
Liverpool face several tough periods, with the Reds twice having to play Man United, Everton, and a European fixture in the same week.
League phase opponents: Atletico (H), Inter (A), Porto (H), Club Brugge (A), Villarreal (H), Fenerbahce (A), Lens (H), LASK (A)
MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 27: General view of the UEFA Champions League trophy ahead of the draw at Grimaldi Forum on August 27, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 27: General view of the UEFA Champions League trophy ahead of the draw at Grimaldi Forum on August 27, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
While Liverpool didn’t draw a particularly tough set of opponents, their task will be complicated by the clashes either side of the fixtures.
*Domestic dates tbc
Matchday 1: Atletico Madrid (H) – Sep 9
Before: Ipswich (A) – Sep 4
After: Fulham (H) – Sep 12
Matchday 2: LASK (A) – Oct 14
Before: Man City (H) – Oct 11
After: Brentford (A) – Oct 17
Matchday 3: Villarreal (H) – Oct 20
Before: Brentford (A) – Oct 17
After: Brighton (H) – Oct 24
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Matchday 4: Fenerbahce (A) – Nov 4
Before: Arsenal (H) – Nov 1
After: Palace (A) – Nov 7/8
Matchday 5: Club Brugge (A) – Nov 25
Before: Man United (H) – Nov 21/22
After: Everton (A) – Nov 28/29
Matchday 6: Porto (H) – Dec 9
Before: Chelsea (A) – Dec 5/6
After: Leeds (H) – Dec 12/13
Matchday 7: Inter Milan (A) – Jan 19
Before: Palace (H) – Jan 16/17
After: Man United (A) – Jan 23/24
Matchday 8: Lens (H) – Jan 27
Before: Man United (A) – Jan 23/24
After: Everton (H) – Jan 30/31
Navigating Champions League league phase
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The top eight teams in the 36-team league will go straight into the last 16, with the remaining eight places determined by eight play-off ties between the teams who finished between ninth and 24th.
Those weeks in November and January, in which Liverpool must face their two biggest rivals as well as a European side away from home, look the most difficult to navigate.
The last matchday, in particular, could be a problem if the Reds are yet to secure a top-eight finish, but Lens makes it a kind fixture to finish on for the Reds.
Iraola’s squad is not big and this is the first time he has had to juggle Champions League football with pressure in the Premier League.
Let’s hope he learns to navigate the challenge quickly and that he is given the tools to do so.
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Nottingham Forest FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates on his debut with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brentford FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Nottingham Forest FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz reacts to his side's first and equalising goal ruled out for offside during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)