Liverpool F.C. could be set for a blockbuster Champions League campaign according to a fixture simulation run by the Daily Mirror. The outlet conducted a mock draw for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27 at 5pm UK time.
The Reds are one of five Premier League sides set to compete, alongside Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. The simulation, published this week, projects a challenging slate of European opponents for the Merseyside club. This comes as Liverpool prepares for their next domestic challenge, a home match against Nottingham Forest on August 29, where they will look to improve on their current 10th-place standing in the Premier League.
The Daily Mirror's simulation placed Liverpool against two opponents from each of the four seeding pots. From pot one, the model paired the Reds with a home match against Inter Milan and an away trip to face Atletico Madrid. The simulated first fixture of the league phase would be that away game against Atletico.
Pot two opponents in the simulation are Roma, with a match at Anfield, and Real Betis away. From pot three, Liverpool would host Galatasaray and travel to face Lille. The pot four opponents are projected to be Sabah of Azerbaijan at home and an away match against the winner of the play-off tie between Slovan Bratislava and Celje, which was level at 1-1 ahead of the second leg.
Several of the simulated fixtures would represent significant reunions. The home game against Inter Milan would be a rematch from the previous season, where Liverpool reportedly secured a late 1-0 victory at the San Siro. A match against Roma would see the Italian side face their former goalkeeper, Alisson Becker.
The game against Galatasaray also renews a past European rivalry. Sabah, the projected pot four opponent from Azerbaijan, would be making their debut in the Champions League league phase. The simulation was run before the decisive second legs of the final play-off matches were completed, so the fourth opponent could still change.
The 2026/27 season introduces a significant change to the Champions League structure with a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage. Each of the 36 qualified clubs will play eight matches in this phase. They will face two opponents from each of the four seeding pots, with four games at home and four away.
The fixture dates and kick-off times for this new phase are set to be confirmed by Saturday at the latest. The first matches are scheduled for September 8. Fans can track Liverpool's confirmed European and domestic schedule on the club's fixtures page once the draw is made official.
As the speculation around European draws continues, Liverpool's immediate focus is on the Premier League. The team has taken one point from their opening game, scoring two goals and conceding two. They currently sit 10th in the table, two points behind early leaders Brighton.
Manager Andoni Iraola, who in this simulation has succeeded Arne Slot, will be tasked with balancing domestic and European ambitions. The club's current form and league position are detailed on our standings page. The simulated scenario also references a dramatic win against Atletico Madrid from the previous September under the previous management.
The real draw on Thursday will determine the actual path. Until then, Liverpool must concentrate on their upcoming home match against Nottingham Forest, a team currently 15th in the table. A positive result could provide momentum before the European campaign begins in earnest next month.
