Jamie Carragher has slammed the new Champions League format after learning Liverpool's potential last 16 opponents.
However, he soon swallowed his words after discovering who Manchester City could face in the same round.
Jamie Carragher finds out Liverpool’s potential RO16 draw on CBS
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Carragher's Champions League rant over Liverpool's opponents immediately backfiredCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazo
Both sides have progressed directly to the last 16 after finishing in the top eight of the league phase.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will join them, while Newcastle United must go through the knockout play-off.
Eddie Howe's side finished 12th after their 1-1 draw with holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Clubs are paired together for the play-off and last 16 draw based on their final position in the league phase.
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It means the top eight already know their four potential opponents when they return to action in March.
Having finished third, Liverpool will face either Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus or Atletico Madrid.
Those sides finished 19th, 20th, 13th and 14th, respectively, after eight matches.
The Reds were beaten in Turkey by Galatasaray in September, but claimed a home win over Atletico in their opening league phase clash.
Carragher was left unimpressed after discovering who his old club could be forced to face for a place in the quarter-finals.
Reacting on CBS Sports' coverage, he exclaimed: "I've just seen who Liverpool's potential opponents are, honest to God, this new format I've had enough of it.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their 3rd goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK at Anfield on January 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England
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The Reds will face either Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus or Atletico in the last 16Credit: Getty
"We finished top last year and got PSG, we finished third this year, listen to this, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray or Juventus, and we finished third."
Fellow pundit Micah Richards jokingly replied: "But you're the mighty Liverpool."
Carragher added: "I know but what I’m saying is if you finish third you can’t have them, you can’t have Atletico Madrid in there, Juventus."
The Champions League winner then turned his attention to Richards' former side City.
He continued: "You know what, I've never known a team so lucky with draws than Man City in my life, they get the FA Cup final every year and just play League Two teams."
However, City are also facing a potential nightmare draw after finishing eighth in the league phase.
Jamie Carragher finds out Liverpool’s potential RO16 draw on CBS
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Carragher was left thrilled after learning City's potential last 16 opponentsCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazo
Pep Guardiola's side will take on one of Bodo/Glimt, Benfica, Real Madrid or Inter Milan.
Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt claimed a shock victory over City in the Arctic Circle last week.
The 2023 winners did beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier in the campaign, though, clinching revenge for their exit at the hands of the Spanish giants last season.
Upon being told City's potential opponents, Carragher immediately changed his tune as he burst out laughing and said: "I'll take that."
He then turned to shake Richards' hand, with the ex-defender calling him a 'big baby' in response.
The draw for the the knockout play-off will take place on Friday at 11am GMT.
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds the fans at full time during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Galatasaray A.S. at City of Manchester Stadium on January 28, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom
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City could meet Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid once again after finishing eighthCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, the last 16 ties will be revealed after that round has been completed.
Those fixtures will be drawn on February 27, with the matches to be played in March.