Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa learn Champions League opponents

By Darren Plant | 29 Aug 2024 17:14, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:45

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid! PSG vs. Man City! Champions League fixtures revealed

Liverpool have been handed a tough introduction to the new Champions League format with Real Madrid one of their eight opponents in the group phase.

A 36-team league has replaced the previous format of four groups of eight, resulting in many of European football's powerhouses having to face each other at some stage in an earlier round than normal.

The pick of the draw from a Premier League perspective is undoubtedly Liverpool being handed a home fixture against defending champions Real Madrid.

Arne Slot's team must also welcome Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield, with trips to RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Girona also on the calendar.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will visit the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in a draw that has also presented them with a home encounter with Inter Milan.

Who will Arsenal and Aston Villa face?

In comparison to the fixtures handed to Liverpool and Man City, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Aston Villa have been given more favourable schedules.

Mikel Arteta's Gunners must play host to PSG and travel to San Siro to meet Inter, yet they will be satisfied with their other six fixtures.

While some Villa supporters may have been dreaming of the most glamourous fixtures possible, they have been presented with a draw that gives them every chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Not only do games versus Bayern Munich and Juventus come at home, their four away games are versus RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, Young Boys and Monaco.