Liverpool’s possible opponents for the first stage of the Champions League this season have narrowed as 14 clubs battle for a place in the competition in the final qualifying round.Arne Slot‘s side conquered the first phase of the new Champions League format last season, but despite their top spot on the table they were knocked out by the eventual champions.It could lead to a rethink this time around as to how Slot uses his squad, still with a top-eight finish in mind, and now their potential opponents have become clearer.Twenty-nine teams already have their place in the draw later this month, and a further 14 are competing for the final seven spots in the 36-team competition. 14 clubs in final play-off roundWith the third round of qualifying complete, there is only the play-off round left before the 36 teams for this season’s Champions League are finalised.Celtic and Rangers are in contention for the competitions proper, as is Club Brugge, the home of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.The Belgian side are one of two teams that progressed to the round of 16 last season and now face a play-off to qualify for this season’s competition:Red Star Belgrade vs. PafosRangers vs. Club BruggeFerencvaros vs. QarabagCeltic vs. KairatBasel vs. CopenhagenBodo/Glimt vs. Sturm GrazFenerbahce vs. BenficaThe first legs of the play-off round will be played on August 19/20, and the second legs on August 26/27.The winners of the ties will advance to the competition proper, and the losers will drop into the Europa League league phase. Clubs already qualifiedEngland: Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, NewcastleSpain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Athletic ClubGermany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht FrankfurtItaly: Inter Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, NapoliFrance: PSG, Marseille, MonacoRest of Europe: PSV, Ajax, Sporting, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Galatasaray, Union SG League draw and key datesLiverpool will discover their eight league phase opponents on August 28, which will see them play four matches at Anfield and four on the road.Here are the key fixture and draw dates for this season’s Champions League:League draw – August 28Matchday 1: September 16-18Matchday 2: September 30-October 1Matchday 3: October 21/22Matchday 4: November 4/5Matchday 5: November 25/26Matchday 6: December 9/10Matchday 7: January 20/21Matchday 8: January 28Play-off draw – January 30Knockout play-offs: February 17/18 and 24/25Last 16/quarter-final/semi-final draw – February 27Last 16: March 10/11 and 17/18Quarter-final: April 7/8 and 14/15Semi-final: April 28/29 and May 5/6Final May 30 (Budapest)