Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League clash to be 'banned' due to UEFA rule
Liverpool are up against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but there is a rule that prevents the two sides from facing each other in the league phase of next year's competition
Liverpool will effectively be banned from facing Real Madrid in the first phase of the Champions League next season, should both be a part of Europe's elite club competition. The two giants have been drawn against one another in two successive campaigns.
But a third encounter in as many years would be blocked by a new and unique UEFA rule. Arne Slot's men triumphed 2-0 against Madrid at Anfield in late November last season and are set to welcome the Spanish giants this week.
The upcoming fixture will mark the 13th occasion Liverpool have clashed with Real Madrid in the competition.
But just two of those contests took place during the previous group stages structure. The remaining fixtures happened in the knockout rounds of the tournament, including three showpiece finals (1981, 2021 and 2022).
Yet under paragraph 16.03 of the UEFA Champions League regulations, the two clubs cannot face each other in next year's league phase edition of the competition.
The regulation stipulates: "In accordance with paragraph 16.03 of the UEFA Champions League regulations, the UEFA Club Competitions Committee has determined an additional condition that may be applicable to the UEFA Champions League draw for the 2026/27 season, deciding that any individual fixture between the same two teams may not be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.
"This means that if any teams that already played against each other in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024/25 season are again drawn against each other, with the same home team, in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in this 2025/26 season, those teams will not be able to be drawn against each other with the same home team in the 2026/27 season (although, for the sake of clarity, those teams could still be drawn against each other at the venue of the other team)."
The fixture at Anfield on Tuesday will have an extra interest this time around following Trent Alexander-Arnold's move from Liverpool to Real Madrid in the summer. The full-back has been an unused substitute for both of Real Madrid's last two games after recovering from a hamstring injury.
He is expected to receive a hostile reception at Anfield, but has said that it won't change his feelings towards the club.
“Whichever way I’m received is the decision of the fans. I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club," he said.
"I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together, they’ll live with me forever.
"No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won’t change.
"It's mixed emotions. It will be a very, very difficult game, but one that I'm excited for. A huge game and a huge stage to go and try to perform.
"It will be a big difference walking into the away changing room, warming up on the other side, everything will feel a lot different to me."
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