On June 18, the full fixture list for the 24/25 Premier League season was unveiled, with the Liverpool Echo analyzing the schedule in light of the new Champions League format. The club could potentially face a challenging run of fixtures against top opponents in both domestic and European competition.
Starting from the 24/25 season, the Champions League will adopt a new structure: the previous 32-team group stage will be replaced by a “Swiss model” involving 36 teams. Teams will be seeded into four tiers, each drawing two teams from each tier as opponents for one home and one away match.
While the draw has not yet taken place, Liverpool’s preliminary Champions League schedule is as follows:
- G1: September 17-19
- G2: October 1/2
- G3: October 22/23
- G4: November 5/6
- G5: November 26/27
- G6: December 10/11
- G7: January 21/22
- G8: January 29
According to the announced Premier League fixtures, Liverpool will host Chelsea on October 19 and travel to Arsenal on October 26. Sandwiched between these matches will be a Champions League game, which, if Liverpool draws a top-tier opponent, could make for an extremely demanding period.
The Echo notes that under the new format, English clubs will no longer be exempt from facing each other in the first phase of the Champions League. This means that Liverpool might, in an extreme scenario, draw Manchester City in the Champions League during this period, resulting in back-to-back clashes with Premier League powerhouses.
A similar situation could arise in late November: Liverpool plays Manchester City at home on November 30, and should they draw City in their G5 Champions League match, they would face consecutive encounters with the reigning Premier League champions within days.
In summary, the new Champions League format promises increased excitement and unpredictability but will also test the squads’ depth and stamina more rigorously.
