The four teams Liverpool could currently end up playing in the next round of the Champions League

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Liverpool can watch on with interest as their European rivals battle it out for a place in the Champions League knockout rounds next week.

The Reds have been impeccable on the continent this season, winning seven games out of seven to top the new-look League Phase table.

Although Barcelona’s late win over Benfica on Tuesday meant that Liverpool can not yet put the ribbons on a first-place finish, they are secured of a place in the top two.

A point in Eindhoven against PSV on Wednesday will ensure that the Reds end the first ever Champions League table top of the pile.

From there, they will skip the inaugural round of 32 play-off and resume their campaign in March.

With rivals such as Man City and PSG in danger of dropping out completely and the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid facing the play-offs, there is real intrigue over what happens next.

Who could Liverpool play in the Champions League last-16?

Given that this is the first year of a new-look format, there will be some confusion amongst the fanbase over what Liverpool finishing top of the pile will mean.

What it definitely means is that the Reds are one of the favourites to lift the Champions League trophy this season.

However, according to journalist Ian Doyle, there is still a very real chance that Liverpool end up facing one of Europe’s top teams in the next round.

Taking to X after Wednesday’s exciting round of fixtures, Doyle explained the outlook for Liverpool in the last-16.

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“LFC will finish in top two in Champions League group meaning in next round they’ll play one of the teams from those who finish 15-18 in the table,” he says.

“At present around 20 clubs could finish in those places.”

Which four teams are in 15th-18th

This is where things start to get fun. With Liverpool sitting pretty atop their Champions League throne, you’d assume that those down in lowly 15th to 18th place would be no match for the Reds.

But taking a cursory look at the table completely dispels that notion.

After matchday seven, the four teams who occupy 15th to 18th – and thus Liverpool’s prospective opponents – are Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Celtic.

Just the 24 titles between them, then. That is not the kind of last-16 game Liverpool fans will be looking for, Celtic aside – with all due respect.

Thankfully, as Doyle points out, things can still change enormously in this respect. Just three points separate 8th and 24th place, which will make for a fantastic last matchday next week. Anyway, whoever they play right now, Liverpool should be favourites.