Liverpool face a tough draw on Monday morning, as they prepare to find out their opponent for the last 16 of this season’s Champions League.
The Reds waltzed through to the next stage of Europe’s top-tier tournament with a 7-0 win at home to Spartak Moscow on Wednesday night.
A hat-trick for captain Philippe Coutinho, a brace from Sadio Mane and further goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino sealed the victory and a first-placed finish in Group E.
That secures them seeding for the last-16 draw on Monday (11am GMT), and with four other English sides also qualifying, their potential opponents are few and far between.
FC Basel, who finished second in Group A, are a possibility, with the Swiss side arguably the most favourable draw for Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
Bayern Munich and Juventus, runners up in Group B and D respectively, are a less palatable prospect, serving as a formidable challenge for Liverpool.
Perhaps their biggest test would be Real Madrid, who finished behind Tottenham as runners up in Group H.
And both Porto, who pipped RB Leipzig to second in Group G, and Shakhtar Donetsk, second in Group F, could prove surprise packages of the last 16.
The Reds cannot draw Chelsea, despite their second-placed finish in Group C, or Sevilla, who also made it through Group E following Spartak’s collapse at Anfield.
Liverpool’s Potential Last-16 Opponents
- Basel
- Bayern Munich
- Juventus
- Real Madrid
- Porto
- Shakhtar Donetsk
Whoever the Reds face, it will be their first Champions League knockout stage fixture since the quarter-final 4-4 draw at Chelsea in April 2009.
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