An overview of Liverpool's Champions League opponents for the league phase

2024/25 marks a new era of Champions League football. Gone are the days of group stage action and facing opponents twice in a battle to reach the knockout rounds.

These days, four more teams have been added to the competition and the groups have been replaced with a league table format that will see each team play eight different clubs just once in a race to advance to knockout football.

With the draw having been completed we now know who Liverpool will be facing in their return to the best competition in club football.

Today I am here to give a quick overview of the Reds' eight opponents and what to expect from each, so let's get started.

Real Madrid (H)

Facing the reigning champions of Europe is no easy task, especially now that they have added the best player in the world Kylian Mbappe to their ranks.

This is clearly the marquee fixture for both clubs and the benefit of it taking place at Anfield is at least a sliver of hope for Arne Slot and his charges.

This is going to be a very tough test for the newlook Reds side but if they can get a positive result against Los Blancos that could go a long way towards truly seeing them liftoff this season. A poor outing won't be damning on their UCL chances, but it will be a sign of the work to still be done.

The starpower that will be on display in this match is going to be electric so at the very least it will make for must-see TV.

Bayer Leverkusen (H)

Xabi Alonso is coming home to Anfield, just not in the way we expected. He is bringing his invincible Leverkusen side to England after they dominated German football last season.

These two sides were on a collision course to meet in the Europa League Final last season before the Reds stubbed their toe against eventual champions Atalanta.

This should be an emotionally charged atmosphere at Anfield as well so the intensity levels could be quite high in this one. Both coaches want to play attractive football so it could be a very aesthetically pleasing affair.

Alonso brings a talented squad to England but it is not one that Liverpool might not be slight favorites because they are the home side.

This could really be a battle to see which club can secure a top 3 or 4 spot in the league phase of action going forward.

Expect fireworks in every facet of action for this fixture and it's one I am most excited for without a doubt.

RB Leipzig (A)

This is a tricky draw as Leipzig are no pushovers and have a lot of young talent they can throw at Slot's men.

Playing in Red Bull Arena is not ideal for any visitors so I fully expect the Leipzig crowd to be amped up for a visit from Liverpool.

Players like Xavi Simons and Lois Openda will be eager to test the Reds defensive line as they are electric to watch when they are fully locked in on an opponent. There is enough talent in the German side to hurt Liverpool if they don't come to play.

I expect the Reds to get a good result from this one but it will be anything from straightforward traffic when we look back at it.

AC Milan (A)

This is yet another huge fixture in the UCL League phase as two of the most successful teams in the competition's history will be battling it out.

Traveling to the San Siro to face the Italian giants is a monumental task for any team so this will be a challenge that Slot must find a way to navigate.

His new possession based style might suit this trip as Liverpool will want to dominate the ball and could try and take the Milan crowd out of the game early and neutralize any advantage they might get from the 12th man.

That's obviously easier said than done as Milan are no slouches as they boast some great talents like Rafael Leao who is one of the best wingers in the world.

Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham make a unique but dangerous strike duo up top that could challenge us defensively in odd ways.

Lille (H)

We now begin seeing the fixture list lighten up just a bit for Liverpool as Lille will be big underdogs at Anfield when these two sides do clash.

Liverpool should be looking to dominate this meeting as they are the superior side in almost every facet of play so they must see this as a must-get three points in the table.

Lille are a fun side to watch on their day in Ligue 1, but they will be taking a huge step up in competition for this one so it'll be interesting to see how they handle the bright lights of a European night at Anfield.

My guess is the Reds cruise in this one through an early goal and they overwhelm the French outfit soon thereafter.

PSV (A)

The runaway Dutch League champions from 2023/24 that pipped Slot's Feyenoord side to the tile by a comfortable seven points.

He will be very familiar with their squad and what they want to do so this should give Liverpool a big advantage as they make the trip to Holland.

PSV will put up a big fight in front of their home crowd and will be eager to secure a huge European salvo, but they have not seen many players like Mohamed Salah on many occasions and he could shine in this fixture.

It might be a tricky event in the unlikelihood the Liverpool players overlook the Dutch champions and concede an early goal but otherwise, this should be a clear approach for the us.

Bologna (H)

The upstart Serie A side are back in the Champions League for the first time in a very long time. There should be some cases of nerves for them in this one as they travel to the fortress that is Anfield on a Champions League night.

Losing their progressive manager Thiago Motta will hurt them meaning they are adjusting to a new style just like Liverpool is with the caveat that we just have better players from top to bottom.

They also lost their two best players in defender Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) and forward Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) so there might not be a lot of threat coming from them either.

I fully expect this one to be one-way traffic for Liverpool and a chance to build up some goal difference.

Girona (A)

The surprise entrants in this competition from La Liga, Girona were top of the table in Spain for a good amount of time last season.

They lost some of their key players just like Bologna did this summer but they still have enough talent on offer to be a little plucky.

A trip to Spain could be a unique challenge for Liverpool as Girona will want to play on the front foot if they can so it'll be up to the defense to make sure things are locked in.

It's not a huge stadium but it could be a cauldron on a weeknight with Liverpool coming to town.

Paulo Gazzaniga and Gabriel Misehouy are two players to watch for Girona in this one as they have emerged as key players early in this season.