Liverpool are now favourites to finish in the top eight of the Champions League‘s league phase and secure a place in the last 16 while avoiding the playoffs.
Heading into Wednesday’s clash with Marseille, the Reds were already assured of a place in the knockout stages due to results going their way the night before.
But a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the Stade Velodrome means Arne Slot‘s side are now fourth in the table behind only Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the latter on goal difference.
It means Liverpool need to beat Qarabag in their final league phase tie to guarantee a place in the last 16 without a two-legged playoff in February.
That comes with the Reds on 15 points but with nine other teams below them who could still exceed their points tally if they lose or draw against the Azerbaijani side.
Champions League Table: Who can still finish in the top 8
Pos Club GD Pts
1 Arsenal (Q) +18 21
2 Bayern Munich (Q) +13 18
3 Real Madrid +11 15
4 Liverpool +6 15
5 Tottenham +8 14
6 PSG +10 13
7 Newcastle +10 13
8 Chelsea +6 13
9 Barcelona +5 13
10 Sporting CP +5 13
11 Man City +4 13
12 Atlético Madrid +3 13
13 Atalanta +1 13
14 Inter Milan +6 12
15 Juventus +4 12
(Q) – Already qualified for the last 16.
Those clubs are Tottenham, who are on 14 points, and Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting CP, Man City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta, who are all on 13.
Inter Milan and Juventus could even overtake Liverpool if they were to win their ties and the Reds lose to Qarabag on Wednesday night and goal difference swings in their favour.
Realistically, Liverpool should progress directly to the last 16 with a draw against Qarabag, but with all 18 fixtures played at the same time in the final round, they would not know their fate until the final whistle.
Why Liverpool desperately want to avoid Champions League playoffs
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (R) celebrates with team-mate Ryan Gravenberch after scoring the third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Though Slot will be encouraged that his side cannot be knocked out of the Champions League at the league phase, avoiding the playoffs is still of paramount importance.
If not, Liverpool would add two more fixtures to a congested schedule, with the playoffs to be held over two legs on February 17/18 and 24/25.
Those would fall between the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton (home, Feb 14) and Premier League clashes with Nottingham Forest (away, Feb 21) and West Ham (home, Feb 28).
“It’s very important because we have had to play with the same players because of injuries for most of the season,” Slot said of guaranteeing a top-eight finish.
“That could be the reason why we have run out of energy in some of the games when we’ve conceded.”
Who could Liverpool play in the Champions League last 16?
As it stands, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille are Liverpool’s most likely opponents if they clinch a place in the last 16.
Champions League Final League Phase Fixtures (January 28)
LIVERPOOL vs. Qarabag FK
Ajax vs. Olympiacos
Athletic Club vs. Sporting CP
Atlético Madrid vs. Bodø/Glimt
Club Brugge vs. Marseille
Dortmund vs. Inter Milan
Leverkusen vs. Villarreal
Monaco vs. Juventus
Pafos vs. Slavia Praha
Union SG vs. Atalanta
* All fixtures scheduled for 8pm kickoff.