Liverpool are on the outskirts of the Champions League‘s top eight with two games remaining in the league phase, so how many points could guarantee a place in the last 16?
Arne Slot‘s men have yet to mathematically secure a place in the knockout stages, as three teams outside the top 24 could still eclipse the Reds on goal difference.
The Reds currently sit ninth with 12 points, outside the top eight only on goal difference behind Inter, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
With two matches remaining, Liverpool are in a strong position to at least make the play-off round, but the top eight has to be their aim to avoid a two-legged playoff in February.
How many points for a top-eight finish?
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Alexis Mac Allister after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League game between Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The advantage of finishing inside the top eight is you guarantee a place in the last 16 of the competition, avoiding the play-off round and taking a seeded spot.
This means clubs in the top eight will play at home in the second leg of the last 16 tie.
Currently, the top eight cuts off at the 12-point mark after six games, which Liverpool have banked, and last season the cut-off was 16 points.
* Champions League table after MD6
It suggests that at least four more points from matches against Marseille (A) and Qarabag (H) will be enough for Liverpool, but they could still need others above them to stumble.
In the final two league phase games, only two teams in the current top eight face each other (Inter vs. Arsenal), though there are currently only three points between Bayern in second and Liverpool in ninth.
If the Reds bank six points from their final two games, though, they will be in a strong position to progress directly to the last 16 with 18 points.
What if Liverpool only qualify for the play-offs?
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 6, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Liverpool FC at Elland Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool ought to comfortably be in the knockout stages after the win at Inter, but if this is the route they have to take then finishing between ninth and 16th will offer an advantage.
Those teams will be seeded for the play-off draw, which offers a slight advantage as they will face an unseeded team (between 17th and 24th) in the battle for a round of 16 spot.
As abovementioned, this route means play-off teams will face a side from the top eight in the next round and be named as the home team for the first leg and the away team for the second.
The play-off route is a two-legged tie played in mid-February.
What is next for Liverpool?
The Champions League exploits have concluded for 2025, with the European campaign to resume in January.
Liverpool travel to Marseille on January 21 before hosting Qarabag at Anfield on January 28.
The table will then be finalised and draws will take place on January 30 for the play-offs and February 27 for the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Champions League dates 2025/26
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 10, 2024: The UEFA Champions League trophy. General. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Matchday 7: January 20/21
• Matchday 8: January 28
• Play-off draw – January 30
• Knockout play-offs: February 17/18 and 24/25
• Last 16/quarter-final/semi-final draw – February 27
• Last 16: March 10/11 and 17/18
• Quarter-final: April 7/8 and 14//15
• Semi-final: April 28/29 and May 5/6
• Final: May 30 (Budapest)