The Reds are at it again. Liverpool are once again the last 16 of the Champions League. This time around we won our group, meaning we will be drawn against a second placed side. There are five possible teams we can be drawn against: Real Madrid, Atalanta, Lyon, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. We give our verdict on the three sides Liverpool would want in the Champions League draw, ranking them by preference.
We rank the three sides that Liverpool would want in the Champions League draw. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Atalanta – Italy – 3rd
The Champions League newbies are currently sixth in Serie A. Whilst they are clearly a decent side, they likely wouldn’t have made it out of the group stage if they weren’t drawn into Manchester City’s Sunday League collective. If we were to draw the Italians it would be a rude awakening for them in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Lyon – France – 2nd
The fact that Lyon are seventh in Ligue 1 in France says it all. Another team that were drawn into an easy group (Zenit, Benfica, RB Leipzig) Lyon would arguably be our easiest possible tie. It would be a good chance to tap up Memphis Depay and all.
Real Madrid – Spain – 1st
Well, well, well, how the turntables. Until recently Los Blancos were the dominant force in the Champions League. The Galacticos reigned supreme in the Champions League until recently – winning four of five tournaments between 2013/14 – 2017/18. Now group runners up, they have a shot at being drawn against the current champions.
For Liverpool there is no better Champions League draw than Real Madrid. Beating the Spanish side in the first knockout round would be a massive statement, confirming the powershift in Europe and cementing Jürgen Klopp’s current dominance. This would also serve as a stark warning to other teams in the competition, it would show that we are determined to make our third consecutive final. Of course, there is also the element of revenge.