Liverpool will face either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16.
Liverpool’s next opponents in the Champions League have become clearer.
When the draw for the last 16 takes place on Friday morning, the Reds know that they could be facing Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray. The Spanish side have booked their spot in the play-off stage after a 7-4 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the play-off round, while Galatasaray dumped out Juventus, winning xxx over two legs.
Arne Slot might feel somewhat glad that he will be facing either Atletico or Gala. Liverpool faced both sides in the league phase. so significant homework with already have been done. In match-day one, Liverpool beat Atletico 3-2, with Virgil van Dijk heading home a late winner. And while the Reds suffered a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in Istanbul, it was only because of a controversial penalty being awarded for the home side.
Certainly, Liverpool will be hoping they can go deeper in the Champions League than last season. Despite winning the league phase, the Reds had the pleasure of facing Paris Saint-Germain. The encounter went all the way to penalties, with the score locked at 1-1 after 210 minutes of action. It was PSG who won the shootout - and went on to deservedly win the tournament.
Adding a seventh European Cup to the Anfield trophy cabinet is what every supporter yearns for. And, in truth, it might be the way that Liverpool book their spot in next season’s Champions League. Slot’s side face a battle to finish in the Premier League top-five this term. Their title defence has been insipid and the Reds currently sit sixth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea.
Slot has admitted the only way the 2025-26 campaign will be acceptable is if Liverpool book their spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season. Owners Fenway Sports Group run the club on a self-sustainable model and the revenue that the Champions League generates is imperative to keep Liverpool competitive with the rest of top clubs in England and on the continent.
The cash that Liverpool have earned from the tournament this season underlines its importance. Already, the Anfield coffers are estimated to receive in the region of £83 million. The Reds banked a £16.2 million windfall for reaching the league phase. Slot’s men won six of their eight league phase matches, with each worth £1.8 million, which adds up to £10.8 million.
In addition, there are financial incentives for the position each club finish in the league phase, worth an extra £240,000. Liverpool claimed £8.12 million plus a £1.7 million bonus for a top-eight finish which secured an automatic spot in the last 16.
The Reds will also get a share of the £760 million ‘value pillar’ which takes into account co-efficient rankings and the TV pool. Liverpool will also have banked more cash from match-day revenue, with games against Atletico, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Qarabag being played at Anfield.
Per fotcal.com, Liverpool received around £87 million from last season’s Champions League campaign (excluding match-day revenue). Should the Reds reach the quarter-finals, that figure will only increase.
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