Liverpool are preparing to face Atletico Madrid as Andoni Iraola's side begin their Champions League campaign at Anfield
Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Liverpool host Atletico Madrid once again in this season's Champions League(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool are all set to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. But the Reds would be banned from drawing the Spanish side at home next season should both qualify for the competition.
Andoni Iraola has never managed a game in the Champions League, but his side will welcome Diego Simeone's men to Anfield on Wednesday night. So far this season, Liverpool have drawn two of their opening Premier League matches against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest and tasted victory last time out against Ipswich Town, winning 2-0.
European football is now on the agenda, though, and a new UEFA rule could affect the schedules of both Liverpool and Atletico next year, assuming both qualify for the tournament once again.
The Reds being given a home tie against Atletico was a familiar sight for those watching the draw, as the exact same fixture was played out last year.
Arne Slot's Liverpool hosted Atletico at Anfield on September 17, which was remarkably Matchday 1 of last term's Champions League, as Wednesday's game is this year.
A general view as players walk out at Anfield during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield
The Reds faced Atletico at Anfield 12 months ago(Image: Getty)
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Inside six minutes, the home side were two goals to the good. Mohamed Salah's free kick cannoned in off Andy Robertson in the fourth minute before the Egyptian swept home a brilliant goal after a quick one-two with Ryan Gravenberch.
Just before half-time, Atletico's Marcos Llorente poked in a goal to halve the deficit and with the Reds holding on late, his volley deflected heavily off Alexis Mac Allister to level things with only 10 minutes to go.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk to the rescue, as the Dutch defender leapt and produced a bullet header in the second minute of additional time to win the game for Liverpool and get his team off to the perfect league phase start with a 3-2 victory.
However, because Liverpool faced Atletico at home last season, and will do so again this campaign, the fixture cannot be played next year. A new UEFA rule states that the same specific league phase match cannot be repeated with the same home team at the same venue for three consecutive seasons.
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the third and winning goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Van Dijk scored the winner the last time these two teams met(Image: Getty)
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So the Reds cannot draw Atletico at home next term, with this, of course, depending on both their names being in the draw. This does not apply to the reverse fixture, so if both teams qualify, Atletico could host Liverpool.
This also has nothing to do with the fact that both last year's game and Wednesday's match are taking place on Matchday 1. The Reds could face Atletico at home in the knockouts next year too, as the rule only applies to the league phase.