Liverpool vs Real Madrid blocked by new Champions League rule | OneFootball

Liverpool and Real Madrid cannot be drawn against each other at Anfield in the league phase of the 2026/27 Champions League due to a new UEFA rule.

The two sides have faced each other at Anfield in each of the last two Champions League campaigns, with Liverpool coming out on top on both occasions. The Reds won 2-0 in 2024 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, before Mac Allister scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory last season.

UEFA has now introduced a rule preventing the same fixture from being repeated with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.

That means Real Madrid cannot be sent to Anfield when the Champions League league phase draw takes place on Thursday, although Liverpool could still be drawn away to Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The rule only applies to the league phase, meaning the two clubs could still meet at Anfield in the knockout stages later in the season.

It brings an unusual restriction to this year's draw, with UEFA having to account for the fixture history when determining the schedule.