Liverpool Champions League draw: Who could Reds face in last 16?

A 1-0 win against Napoli at Anfield means Liverpool have secured their place in the last 16 draw in the Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side can now put their feet up for one evening to watch the remainder of the group games in the competition, anticipating who they may be drawn against on 17 December.

Read more: Alisson save vs Napoli: World class or straight at the Liverpool goalkeeper?

However, the Reds qualified as runners up, behind Paris Saint-Germain in Group C. This means they will now be drawn against a group winner, theoretically tougher opposition than if they had won their group.

According to Uefa rules, no sides can be drawn against a club from their own group, or against a club from their home association – ie. an English team.

This narrows the field slightly. Here is who Liverpool could face in the next stage:

Draw permutations

Read more: When is the Champions League last 16 draw? How to watch and knockout round fixture dates

The draw will take place at 11am on Monday 17 December at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

For your calendars – the first leg of the Round of 16 fixtures will take place on either Tuesday 12 or Wednesday 13 February, or Tuesday 19 or Wednesday 20 February. The second leg will take place on either Tuesday 5 or Wednesday 6 March, or Tuesday 12 or Wednesday 13 March.

The teams Liverpool can face are (*depends on final group match results):

Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund
Porto
Real Madrid
Ajax*
Bayern Munich*
Juventus*
Lyon*

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By finishing second in their group, Liverpool will miss out on the supposedly friendlier side of the draw, which would have included Schalke, Roma and Atletico Madrid.

In terms of a preferable draw, Porto stand out as a side who won an easy group, while if Ajax top their group by beating Bayern Munich it is hard to convey them as a simpler opponent – regardless of their stature compared to superstar-laden powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus (should the latter win Group H). If Lyon top Group F through an unlikely Manchester City loss to Hoffenheim, they too must be considered a favourable draw at this stage.

However, all teams which reach this stage of the competition must not be underestimated.