UEFA bans Liverpool from facing Real Madrid in the Champions League

Liverpool is barred from hosting Real Madrid at Anfield in the upcoming Champions League group stage.

The team coached by Arne Slot enters their home match in the group stage Champions League 2025/26 against Real Madrid on the early morning of November 5 (Vietnam time) with a less than favorable form, having lost 6 of their last 8 matches across all competitions. However, they somewhat regained confidence with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend.

In the Champions League, Liverpool has defeated Atletico Madrid and Frankfurt in three matches so far this season but suffered a loss to Galatasaray in the second matchday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid remains undefeated and leads the group stage before their trip to Anfield.

However, a lesser-known UEFA regulation means this will be the last time Real Madrid plays at Anfield in the group stage for at least the next two years.

Specifically, UEFA introduced a new rule starting from the 2026/27 season draw, which states that if two teams have met in the group stage for two consecutive seasons with the same home team involved, they cannot face each other again in the same home-away arrangement for a third consecutive season.

Since last season Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield in the group stage, under the new rule, if the two teams are drawn in the same group again next season, the match must take place at the Bernabeu. To maintain the balance of four home and four away matches for each club, one of Liverpool’s other away games will be moved to Anfield.

Note that this rule applies only to the group stage and does not affect knockout rounds.

The full UEFA regulation states: “If any teams have met in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage and are drawn together again in 2025/26 with the same home team, they shall not be drawn to face each other with the same home team in the 2026/27 season (however, to clarify, they may still meet at the other team’s venue).”

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