Liverpool supporters might be preparing for some unusual and far-flung adventures this season as the Champions League draw looms closer.
At 5pm tomorrow, the Reds will learn the eight sides they’ll face in the new league phase of Europe’s top competition—a format they topped last season in its debut run. Familiar names such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Napoli are likely to feature, but three clubs have qualified for the group stage for the very first time, opening the door to some fresh encounters.
Three Champions League First-Timers Enter the Mix
UEFA confirmed on Tuesday night that Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, and Kairat Almaty are all through to the main competition for the first time.
Bodo/Glimt are perhaps the most recognisable, having made waves in Europe recently. They reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, only losing to eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur.
Pafos FC, founded in 2014, stunned Europe by knocking out 1991 champions Red Star Belgrade. Remarkably, they only made their continental debut last year, and now could meet Liverpool just over a decade after their creation.
Kairat Almaty, based in Kazakhstan, shocked Celtic on penalties to secure their place and become only the second Kazakh club to ever reach the Champions League. Their home city lies more than 7,000 km away from Liverpool, near the Chinese border—making them the most distant opponent the Reds have ever potentially faced in the competition.
A Geographic Challenge for Reds Supporters
Last season, Liverpool fans enjoyed relatively straightforward European trips to Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. Even in the Europa League the year before, their furthest journeys were to Austria (Linz) and Czechia (Prague).
But things could be very different this time. A trip to Almaty would be Liverpool’s most easterly fixture in European history, while a meeting with Bodo/Glimt would see them play inside the Arctic Circle—their most northerly European visit ever.
Since the Norwegian and Kazakh clubs are in different seeding pots, it’s entirely possible that the Reds could be handed both fixtures, giving fans two extreme away days in one campaign.
With the rules allowing Liverpool to face up to two sides from the same domestic league (but none from England), all eyes will be on tomorrow’s draw to see if Arne Slot’s men are headed for familiar giants—or brand new adventures.
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