Liverpool to travel to AC Milan in Champions League opener, Celtic host Slovan Bratislava

Liverpool will start their Champions League campaign away to AC Milan – opponents the Reds have met twice in the final.

Arne Slot's side will head to the San Siro on 18 September to take on the Rossoneri.

Liverpool famously beat Milan on penalties in the 2005 final after fighting back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 after extra time, while the Italians exacted revenge two years later to win 2-1 in Athens.

Italian opposition also provide Liverpool’s first home game on 2 October in the shape of Bologna, while reigning champions Real Madrid head to Anfield on 27 November.

Premier League champions Manchester City will face Inter Milan in their competition opener on 18 September – a repeat of the 2023 final in Istanbul, which Pep Guardiola’s side won 1-0.

City’s next test on 1 October is a trip to Slovan Bratislava, with eye-catching fixtures against Juventus (home) and Paris St Germain (away) on 11 December and 22 January respectively at the back end of the league phase.

Arsenal kick off their campaign with a trip to Atalanta on 19 September and host Paris St Germain on 2 October.

Aston Villa travel to Swiss side Young Boys on 17 September for their first game in the competition since 1982-83.

Villa’s first home fixture against Bayern Munich on 2 October will evoke memories of them winning the European Cup when they beat the Bundesliga giants 1-0 in the 1982 final.

Scottish champions Celtic start at home against Slovan Bratislava on 18 September before heading to last season’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund on 1 October.

Celtic visit Villa on matchday eight on 29 January when all final league phase games will kick-off simultaneously at 8pm.

This is the first time that a revamped 36-team competition has been held.

Each entrant will four