Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United learned their league phase opponents in this season’s UEFA Champions League. Among the trio, United are returning to the competition after a year’s absence.
Having finished a lowly 16th in the 2024-25 season, the Red Devils missed out on European football last season. However, Michael Carrick’s side ended their 2025-26 campaign in third place, behind the Gunners and Manchester City, to return to European club football’s blue-riband event.
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Mikel Arteta’s Gunners made the final last season, squandering a half-time lead before going down on penalties to holders Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, the Reds lost 4-0 on aggregate to the eventual champions in the quarter-finals, losing 2-0 both home and away.
Following this season’s Champions League league phase draw on Thursday (August 27), United are set to play Bayern Munich at home, Atletico Madrid away, AS Roma at home, Sporting CP away, RB Leipzig home, Villarreal away, Sabah home and Como away.
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool open their campaign against Atletico Madrid at home, Inter Milan away, FC Porto home, Club Brugge away, Villarreal home, Fenerbahce away, Lens home and LASK away.
Meanwhile, the Gunners will take on Real Madrid at home, Bayern Munich away, Borussia Dortmund at home, Real Betis away, Lille home, SSC Napoli away, Sabah home and Slavia Prague away.
While the Gunners have never won the UEFA Champions League, United have won thrice, while Liverpool have captured the title six times, most recently in 2019.
What’s next for UEFA Champions League contenders Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United?
All three of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are in action in the Premier League after enduring contrasting fortunes in their respective campaign openers last weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners – coming off a 3-0 victory at home over Coventry City – take on Aston Villa away on Monday (August 31). Meanwhile, the Reds – who drew 2-2 at Newcastle United – are next at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (August 29).
Michael Carrick’s Red Devils – having suffered a 2-0 reverse at promoted Hull City – will look to return to winning ways when they host Ipswich Town on Sunday (August 30).
All three of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United will be in UEFA Champions League action between September 8 and 10.
Edited by Bhargav