Liverpool are set to face Atletico Madrid at Anfield to open their Champions League campaign just as they did 12 months ago
Marcos Llorente of Atletico de Madrid battles for possession with Cody Gakpo of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Liverpool will duel with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool would be banned from hosting Atletico Madrid in the league phase of next season's Champions League. The Reds face the Spanish side at Anfield on Wednesday to open their European campaign, just as they did last year.
The Champions League is back and the marquee opening Matchday 1 features some tasty clashes. Perennial winners Real Madrid welcome 2025 finalists Inter Milan to the Bernabeu and last year's runners-up Arsenal face a tricky trip to Napoli.
Arguably, the tie of the round sees Andoni Iraola's Liverpool play host to Atletico. However, because this exact same fixture took place last year, a new UEFA rule dictates it cannot occur again in next year's renewal of the tournament.
Liverpool being handed a tie against Atletico at home would have had those watching last month's Champions League draw feeling a sense of déjà vu.
That is because Arne Slot's Reds hosted Atletico at Anfield on September 17, which was remarkably Matchday 1 of last season's Champions League, just as Wednesday's clash 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
Atletico were welcomed to Anfield just 12 months ago(Image: Getty)
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Within six minutes, the home side had raced into a two-goal lead. Mohamed Salah's free kick cannoned in off Andy Robertson in the fourth minute before the Egyptian swept home a stunning goal following a slick one-two with Ryan Gravenberch.
Just before the break, Atletico's Marcos Llorente poked in a goal to halve the deficit, and with the Reds clinging on late, his volley deflected heavily off Alexis Mac Allister to level proceedings with just 10 minutes remaining.
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It was captain Virgil van Dijk who rode to the rescue, as the Dutch defender leapt magnificently to produce a thunderous header deep into the second minute of added time, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for Liverpool and kick-starting their league phase campaign in the perfect fashion.
However, given that Liverpool faced Atletico at home last season and are set to do so again this campaign, the fixture cannot be repeated next year.
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 when these two sides last met(Image: Getty)
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A new UEFA ruling states that the same league phase match cannot be replicated with the same home side at the same ground for three successive seasons.
The Reds are therefore unable to draw Atletico at home next term — though this naturally hinges on both clubs featuring in the draw. Crucially, this restriction does not extend to the reverse fixture, meaning if both sides qualify, Atletico could still host Liverpool.
It is also worth noting that this potential ban has no bearing on the fact that both last season's encounter and Wednesday's match fell on Matchday 1.
Furthermore, Liverpool could still face Atletico at home in the knockout rounds next year, as the ruling applies exclusively to the league phase.
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