Liverpool can already plan ahead knowing when their Champions League last 16 fixtures will be played – but authorities could face chaos if two ties are drawn.
Galatasaray‘s dramatic 7-5 aggregate win over Juventus on Wednesday night confirmed Liverpool’s two possible opponents in the last 16.
The Turkish side have joined Atletico Madrid in the bracket with ties against Liverpool or Tottenham to be determined in Friday’s draw.
Following what promises to be a long, drawn-out affair at UEFA’s headquarters, the dates for those last-16 ties are set to be released later in the day.
But Liverpool already know they will almost certainly play the first leg away on Tuesday, March 10 and the second leg at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18.
Why Liverpool’s Champions League fixtures are already locked in
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) is challenged by Atletico Madrid's Javi Galán during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That is because Liverpool host Tottenham in the Premier League between those two ties and is already locked in by Sky Sports for a 4.30pm kickoff on Sunday, March 15.
And this means the second legs must be played on the following Wednesday to avoid a 48-hour turnaround for any club in the Champions League.
There remains a concern over scheduling conflicts emerging from Friday’s last-16 draw however as both Liverpool and Man City could play in Madrid either on the same night or over two days.
If Liverpool draw Atletico Madrid and Man City draw Real Madrid, both sets of fans will travel to the Spanish capital over March 10 and 11.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah argues with Manchester City's head coach Josep "Pep" Guardiola over the tussle between Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Like Liverpool, Man City are seeded for the draw having finished in the top eight of the Champions League‘s league phase and therefore take home advantage for the second leg.
This will require additional security measures in Madrid and complicate travel and accommodation plans for those supporters heading to the city from the northwest of England.
Man City could also be drawn against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who overcame Inter Milan with victories in both legs and a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
Clearly UEFA and the Spanish authorities may prefer either that to be the case or Liverpool to draw Galatasaray, but the draw process will be randomised.
Liverpool could play English sides in every stage after last 16
If Liverpool do progress beyond the last 16, there is a chance they play English sides in every other stage including the final in Budapest.
They could face Newcastle or Chelsea in the quarter-finals and one of Arsenal or Man City in either the semi-finals and the final, depending on the results of Friday’s draw.
England is the only nation to have all of their teams still active in European competition at this stage, with nine of nine across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
That means the Premier League will almost certainly be granted an additional Champions League place for next season via their UEFA coefficient, handing this season’s fifth-placed side a spot in the league phase in 2026/27.