Liverpool fans can start to breathe a sigh of relief as the Reds edge closer to a significant milestone. Arne Slot's squad is on the verge of securing their spot in the Champions League knockout stages, and they've done it in record time.
AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid have all fallen to Liverpool in European competition this season, and now Girona joins the list after a 1-0 defeat in Spain. Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty ensured Liverpool's flawless record remained intact, bagging maximum points and keeping the Reds on track to be the first name drawn for the round of 16, bypassing the play-offs.
This achievement promises numerous advantages for Liverpool in both the short and long term, although there could be potential challenges ahead. Here, we delve into the implications of Liverpool's almost certain automatic qualification.
One major perk of finishing in the top eight of the league phase is avoiding two additional matches in an already-packed schedule. Direct entry into the round of 16 means dodging the play-off round, which consists of two games played on February 11/12 and 18/19.
Liverpool's schedule is already packed with a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie on Feb. 8, a Premier League home game against Wolves on Feb. 16, and most crucially, an away match at Manchester City on Feb. 23. As Man City could be battling fatigue from the Champions League play-off round, Liverpool might have the advantage of fresher legs.
The path to the final in the Champions League has always been easier for teams that perform well in the early rounds. In this new European competition system, finishing in the top eight of the league phase ensures that Liverpool will face a non-Premier League opponent in the round of 16 who has qualified through the play-offs.
With Aston Villa, Arsenal and Man City currently occupying positions between ninth and 14th, this narrows down the pool of potential opponents for Liverpool. The draws for the knockout stages will largely remain the same as in the previous format, making the route to the final more apparent.
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his goal against Girona
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his goal against Girona (Image: Getty Images)
There are also financial incentives for performing well in the early rounds. According to UEFA, qualifying for the round of 16 will earn Liverpool $11.8 million compared to the $1.08 million guaranteed for reaching the play-offs.
Then there are some significant bonuses for excelling in the league phase. Firstly, victories in this stage are worth $2.26M each, meaning the club has already bagged a total of $13.27M and could end with $17.6M. Additionally, there is a bonus ranking system that will distribute further prize money based on finishing places in the table.
It starts with the 36th-placed team winning a single 'share', worth $350,000, the 35th-placed team winning two shares, and so on, right up to the first-placed team who would win 36 shares.
With Liverpool poised to finish here, they could pocket another $10.33M. This would be the minimum total, as each match drawn in the league phase increases the value of the shares.
However, for all the benefits, there is one potential situation that could disrupt the good progress of Slot's men. Referring back to the point of less fixture congestion and those February midweek dates remaining open due to not playing in the play-offs, there is the small matter of the Merseyside derby to resolve.
Storm Darragh caused the clash at Goodison Park to be postponed last Saturday lunchtime, hence it needs to be rescheduled. Currently, the next available midweek is on the week commencing Jan. 6, however, a possible Carabao Cup semi-final would take priority if the team advances in that competition later this month.
The remainder of January is full, leaving no room for the game. This leaves various midweek dates in February open, including one sandwiched between the Wolves and Man City games.
It would be far from perfect if Liverpool were asked to play their Merseyside rivals at Goodison Park for the last time, under floodlights, just days before heading to league title contenders Man City - a venue where they haven't tasted victory since 2018.