Liverpool play host to Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday evening as they look to secure their place in the competition's round of 16, but nothing is guaranteed ahead of the clash
Arne Slot looks on
Arne Slot's Liverpool take on Qarabag on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool return to Anfield to take on Qarabag on Wednesday evening, as the final round of fixtures of the Champions League's league phase play out. It's been a rocky season for Arne Slot domestically, looking unlikely to defend the Premier League title the Reds clinched at the end of 2024/25.
At the time of writing, Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League standings and look more likely to be engaged in a race for a Champions League spot for 2026/27 than one for the English top flight title. However, it's been a fair smoother ride in Europe.
In the UCL, Liverpool look incredibly likely to automatically qualify for the round of 16, with just one match remaining in the mass group stage. However, as fans worldwide will know, nothing is guaranteed just yet.
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Here, the Echo breaks down how things stand for Liverpool headed into their match with Qarabag...
Where Liverpool stand going into the final matchday
Courtesy of wins over Atletico Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Marseille, and losses to Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven. Liverpool currently sit fourth on the Champions League table. However, things could change for better or for worse dependent on the result of Wednesday night's fixture.
The lowest and highest places Liverpool can finish in the league standings
A win over Qarabag could see Liverpool potentially climb into second-place, depending on Real Madrid's outing with Benfica and Bayern Munich's game with PSV. A Real Madrid loss would be enough to see the Reds advance to third, but a convincing victory on Liverpool's part and a damaging loss for the Bundesliga titans would need to ensue for Liverpool to climb any higher.
That's considering Munich currently hold a goal difference of 13 to the Premier League champions' six. Stranger things, however, have happened historically.
On the flip side, Liverpool could sink to as low as 15th, dependent on the results of the 11 teams trailing them. It's tight at the top, at present, with just three points separating the Reds and Juventus - who currently occupy 15th.
What each position Liverpool can finish in would mean
Positioning is crucial in the Champions League this year, given the benefits associated with higher placement in the league phase. The top two, which is likely to be Arsenal and Bayern, will see a home advantage for each second leg clash of the knockout stages they make it to on the way to May's final.
The top four will also see second-leg home advantage in the round of 16 and the quarter-finals, meaning if Liverpool hold their current position, they will play those matches at Anfield if they make it that far. The top eight also see a home advantage in second legs against sides who qualify for the round of 16 via a play-off.
Should Liverpool slip to ninth or below, not only will they wave goodbye to home any second leg home advantages, but will also have to fight for their place in the round of 16 in the play-offs. That's because there is no guarantee for teams who finish between ninth and 24th in the league.
The list of teams Liverpool can still currently end up facing in the next round
Should the table remain as is after the final round of fixtures, Liverpool will face one of the following teams in the round of 16:
Barcelona
Sporting CP
Manchester City
Atletico Madrid
Inter Milan
Atalanta
Juventus
Borussia Dortmund
Galatasaray
Qarabag
Marseille
Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco
PSV Eindhoven
Athletic Club
Olympiakos
With just Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat set to leave the competition regardless of their results on Wednesday, Napoli, Copenhagen, Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Benfica, Pafos, Union Saint-Gilloise and Ajax could also still qualify for the play-offs.
When are the next rounds
Play-off draw: January 30
Knockout play-offs: February 17-18 and 24-25
Round of 16: March 10-11 and 17-18
Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15
Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6
Final: Saturday, May 30 at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary