Liverpool will face Galatasaray in the last 16 of the Champions League, and progression in the competition could set up a semi-final vs. Real Madrid.
The Reds finished third in the league phase table and after the playoff rounds were promised another meeting with either Galatasaray or Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool were paired with Galatasaray in Friday’s draw, which will see the two teams face off in a two-legged tie next month for a place in the quarter-final.
The new Champions League format means Liverpool’s potential run to the final was also mapped out having been allocated to the silver side of the bracket.
Liverpool’s full Champions League bracket
• Potential Quarter-final: PSG or Chelsea
• Potential Semi-final: Real Madrid / Man City OR Atalanta / Bayern Munich
Unlike the potential of a random opponent at each stage of the draw, as in previous years, each team now has a place in the bracket, and a potential route forward can be mapped out.
Each of the remaining seeded clubs were placed on either the silver or blue half of the bracket on Friday, and Liverpool were allocated silver.
By facing Galatasaray in the last 16, Liverpool are on a path to face PSG or Chelsea in the quarter-finals and potentially Real Madrid, Man City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
As we saw last year, however, it all rests on Liverpool qualifying!
The bracket does mean the Reds cannot face the likes of Arsenal or Barcelona until the final in Budapest, as they are on opposite sides of the draw.
If Liverpool were to progress in the competition, they would play the second leg of the quarter-final at Anfield, and host the first leg of the semi-final.
When will Liverpool vs. Galatasaray take place?
The exact dates for Liverpool’s tie are expected to be confirmed later on Friday, but the club will be almost certain of their upcoming fixture list.
Due to Premier League scheduling, the club will be confident they will play the first leg away on Tuesday, March 10 and the second leg at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18.
Champions League last 16 draw in full
Champions League Last 16 Fixtures
Paris Saint-Germain VS Chelsea
Galatasaray VS Liverpool
Real Madrid VS Man City
Atalanta VS Bayern Munich
Newcastle VS Barcelona
Atletico Madrid VS Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt VS Sporting CP
Bayer Leverkusen VS Arsenal
Fixture Explainer: Liverpool are expected to play the second leg against Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18 as the Premier League match against Tottenham is already confirmed for Sunday, March 15.
When are the UEFA Champions League’s knockout matches?
NYON, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 4: A general view of the UEFA Champions League trophy during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Play-offs Round Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on August 4, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland. (Photo by Isaac Bertin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The remaining Champions League schedule is as follows:
Last 16 First Leg: March 10/11
Last 16 Second Leg: 17/18
Quarter-final First Leg: April 7/8
Quarter-final Second Leg: 14/15
Semi-finals First Leg: April 28/29
Semi-final Second Leg: May 5/6
Final: May 30 (Budapest)