Liverpool may play a rematch against Real Madrid as Champions League path becomes clearer
As the draw for the group stage begins, Liverpool might be gifted an instant reunion with Real Madrid in next season’s Champions League.
The Reds were denied a seventh European Cup when they were defeated 1-0 by the Spaniards in Paris on a day characterised by organisational chaos that threatened the safety of Liverpool fans outside the stadium before, during, and after the game.
Real’s victory puts them in Pot One, along with the champions of the major leagues and Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt, for the group stage of next season’s competition.
And with Liverpool leading the way in Pot Two, there is a chance the pair could be placed in the same group when the draw is made on August 25.
Along with Real and Frankfurt, also in Pot One are AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-German, Porto, Ajax and Manchester City, who, as a fellow Premier League club, Liverpool will not be able to face in the group stage.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will also not be drawn against teams joining them in Pot Two – Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur.
With Benfica remaining to traverse the qualifying stages, seven of the eight teams in Pot Three have been confirmed.
If they are successful, they will join Borussia Dortmund, Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon, and Bayer Leverkusen from the Bundesliga.
With six of the 32 slots still up for grabs, the vast majority of those who make it through the play-offs will be in Pot Four. Marseille, Bruges, and Celtic, on the other hand, have already qualified and will be in the final pot.
The Reds’ advance to the final in Paris means that their coefficient – derived by taking European records over the previous five seasons – is only surpassed by Bayern Munich.
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Liverpool may play a rematch against Real Madrid as Champions League path becomes clearer
