A number of first-round play-off matches took place in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with a number of potential last-16 opponents for Liverpool in the competition becoming clearer as a result.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid claps during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Trent Alexander-Arnold could be on a collision course with old club Liverpool once again(Image: David S. Bustamante, Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is one step closer to a potential return to Liverpool later this season following a contentious night in the Champions League.
The Reds have already secured their place in the last 16 in Europe after finishing among the top eight in the league phase. This allows Arne Slot's team to sit back and observe this month's play-offs before they resume their pursuit of a seventh continental crown in March.
The first round of play-off matches kicked off on Tuesday. Liverpool edged closer to discovering their last-16 adversary after Galatasaray triumphed over Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their clash, providing a clearer picture of the competition moving forward.
Real Madrid replayed their exhilarating final league phase match against Benfica, with the Spanish titans overcoming their Portuguese rivals this time around, albeit under a cloud of controversy. Vinicius Jr netted the game's only goal in Lisbon, ensuring Real will carry a 1-0 advantage into next week's second leg at the Bernabeu.
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However, the match was paused for approximately 10 minutes after the goal due to Vinicius alleging he had been subjected to racist abuse. The Brazilian reported a comment allegedly made towards him, prompting referee Francois Letexier to implement UEFA's anti-racism protocol.
Chaos erupted as a member of one of the teams' backroom staff was dismissed, while Benfica boss Jose Mourinho attempted to speak with a visibly incensed Vinicius. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni had been seen on camera covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinicius before the incident, which Alexander-Arnold later called a "disgrace to football."
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid speaks to Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, after a clash with Gianluca Prestianni during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused while facing Benfica in the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)
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The match eventually continued, with Real maintaining its advantage as Mourinho was subsequently sent off. The outcome means Alvaro Arbeloa's team are now closer to qualifying for the last 16, and another potential visit to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold later in the tournament.
The two teams have already clashed this season, with the Reds claiming a 1-0 victory at Anfield during the league phase. And they could meet again in the semi-finals should both progress that far.
Liverpool will discover which section of the draw it will be positioned in on February 27, when they will be matched with either Galatasaray or Juventus, or Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid. The first scenario would set them on course for a possible encounter with Real and Alexander-Arnold, who is looking more settled in Spain.
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Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat fellow French outfit Monaco 3-2, with the defending European champions scheduled to have home advantage in next week's second leg. PSG could be a potential quarter-final adversary for Liverpool in a possible rematch of last season's last-16 clash.
Borussia Dortmund also emerged victorious, defeating Atalanta 2-0 in the first leg of their match in Germany. That results positioning the Black and Yellows as another potential semi-final opponent for the Reds should they not face Real.
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