Who could Liverpool play in the Champions League last 16? Potential next round opponents revealed

Liverpool made history as they finished top of their Champions League group with a 100% record and will be eager to see which of six possible clubs they will face in the knockout stage.
Liverpool are pulled out of the bowl during a previous Champions League draw. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty ImagesLiverpool are pulled out of the bowl during a previous Champions League draw. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool are pulled out of the bowl during a previous Champions League draw. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Liverpool headed into their final Group B game against AC Milan on Tuesday having already secured top spot, but that wasn’t enough for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The Reds went to Italy and handed the Rossoneri a 2-1 defeat - thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Divock Origi - to knock their hosts out of the competition and to become the first English side in history to win all six games in a Champions League group stage.

Liverpool’s historic run of victories:

Liverpool 3-2 AC Milan

Porto 1-5 Liverpool

Atletico Madrid 2-3 Liverpool

Liverpool 2-0 Atletico Madrid

Liverpool 2-0 Porto

AC Milan 1-2 Liverpool

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Attention now turns to the draw for the next phase of the Champions League and who the Reds could face in the last-16.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during Champions League action. Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during Champions League action. Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during Champions League action. Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

How does the draw work?

Having finished first in Group B, Liverpool will be paired against a team who have finished second in another Champions League group.

However, UEFA rules dictate sides cannot be drawn against opposition who were in the same group, or clubs from the same country.

The latter is significant as Chelsea finished second in Group H, meaning there are only six potential opponents left for Liverpool in the last 16.

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As always, the clubs paired together will play each other over two legs, but for the first time this season the away goals rule will not be utilised in the competition.

The Champions League trophy. Credit: Getty.The Champions League trophy. Credit: Getty.
The Champions League trophy. Credit: Getty.

Who could Liverpool face?

There are seven sides the Reds could face in the last-16:

  • Paris Saint-Germain - Group A runner-up
  • Sporting Lisbon - Group C runners-up
  • Inter Milan - Group D runners-up
  • Benfica - Group E runners-up
  • Villarreal - Group F runners-up
  • RB Salzburg - Group G runners-up

Liverpool can’t face Atletico Madrid as the Spanish side were runners up in the same Group B as the Reds and Klopp’s men can’t be drawn against Group H runners up Chelsea as they are a fellow Premier League side.

When is the draw?

The last-16 draw will take place on Monday, 13 December, at 11:00 UK time. As usual, the proceedings will be conducted at UEFA’s Nyon headquarters in Switzerland.

The draw will likely be shown on BT Sport and Uefa’s Youtube channel.

The last-16 matches will be spread out across February and March, beginning on 15 February and ending on 16 March.