Liverpool secured a top-eight spot and a place in the last-16 by winning their first seven games in this year’s competition.
In their final game, Liverpool fielded a heavily rotated squad and suffered a 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Arsenal’s spot in the top eight was almost guaranteed, but the Gunners cemented their place in the knockouts with a 2-1 victory against Girona. ..Continue Reading
Aston Villa also joined the top eight after Unai Emery’s side earned a hard-fought 4-2 win at home against Celtic.
Manchester City were on the brink of a surprising league-phase elimination, but Pep Guardiola’s team staged an impressive second-half comeback to win 3-1 against Club Brugge and secure a spot in the top 24.
Looking ahead to the next stage of the Champions League, here are the potential opponents for Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
Who Could Arsenal Play Next in the Champions League?
Arsenal’s victory against Girona saw them finish the league phase in third place with six wins from eight games.
As a result, Arteta’s side advances directly to the last-16, where they will face one of AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord, or Juventus.
Who Could Man City Play Next in the Champions League?
Despite losing three of their eight league phase games, Manchester City’s final gameweek win against Brugge secured their 22nd place finish.
This means City will have to navigate a two-legged playoff tie to join Arsenal in the last-16.
City will face a thrilling playoff tie against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich and, if successful, will then meet Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16.
Who Could Liverpool Play Next in the Champions League?
Liverpool’s perfect run in this year’s Champions League ended with a narrow defeat in Eindhoven by a second-string XI.
However, Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta ensured Liverpool finished top of the table. They can now anticipate a last-16 tie against one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest.
Who Could Aston Villa Play Next in the Champions League?
Aston Villa’s first European campaign since 1983 has started impressively, with a 4-2 win against Celtic securing their place in the top eight.
Unai Emery’s side joins Arsenal and Liverpool directly in the last-16, where they will face one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon, or Club Brugge.
The draw to finalize the Champions League knockout phase play-offs will be held on January 31 at 11am GMT. It will be streamed live on UEFA’s website and YouTube channel, and also broadcast on TNT Sports 2.
The first legs of the knockout phase play-offs will take place on February 11 and 12, with the return legs scheduled for February 18 or 19.
The draws for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will all be conducted on February 21.
