Arsenal and Liverpool's Champions League fixtures compared with rivals on collision course

Arsenal and Liverpool are the two English clubs left in the Champions League

Arsenal and Liverpool are the two remaining English clubs in the Champions League and are on opposite sides of the tournament bracket. The pair recently advanced to the quarter-finals, while four other Premier League sides exited in the round of 16.

The Gunners have been almost flawless in European competition, topping the league phase with a perfect record and overcoming Bayer Leverkusen in the knockout rounds. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a routine 2-0 home win over Leverkusen in the return leg to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Arsenal are seeking to win the Champions League for the first time and could finally lift the famous trophy this season. Meanwhile, Liverpool have plenty of European pedigree, though have struggled to match Arsenal's consistency this term.

Arne Slot’s team finished third in the league phase but were forced to overcome a first-leg defeat to Galatasaray in the round of 16. Here, football.london compares the two clubs’ respective routes to Champions League glory.

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Arsenal

Quarter-final - Sporting CP

The Gunners will be heavy favourites to book their place in the last four against the Portuguese side. Sporting overturned a three-goal deficit against surprise package Bodo/Glimt in the previous round, winning the second leg 5-0 at home after extra-time, but are unlikely to pull off a shock victory against Arsenal.

The Premier League leaders will enter the first leg in Lisbon on April 7, having had the opportunity to rotate players in their FA Cup quarter-final with Southampton a few days earlier. The team then play Bournemouth at home before their second meeting with Sporting at the Emirates Stadium on April 15, which should not prevent Arsenal from ensuring their semi-final spot in the return leg.

Semi-final - Barcelona

Arsenal will play either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, with Barca considered the favourites to eliminate Diego Simeone’s side. The Catalan club possess dazzling attacking talent but notably lost 3-0 to Chelsea in the group phase.

There is the added complication of the FA Cup semi-finals, should Arsenal remain in the competition, ahead of the semi-final first legs on April 28 and 29. The Gunners are currently scheduled to play Newcastle at home on Saturday, April 25.

Arsenal also play Fulham at home before the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. A real test of the team’s credentials, the combination of the Gunners’ miserly backline and the pace at their disposal to get behind Barcelona’s defence should steer the club to the Champions League final.

Final - Bayern Munich

The German club may have PSG, Real Madrid and Liverpool on their side of the bracket but Vincent Kompany’s side have barely put a foot wrong in the Champions League. Their only defeat came in a 3-1 loss to Arsenal in November, which would make for an intriguing final.

Arteta has already seen his side overcome Bayern and they also knocked out Real Madrid last season. There could be no better chance for the Gunners to claim their crown as the best side in European football.

Liverpool

Quarter-final - Paris Saint-Germain

Arne Slot’s team theoretically face a much sterner test against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. The French side dismantled Chelsea in the last round, advancing with an emphatic 8-2 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Liverpool displayed their enduring quality with a 4-0 home win over Galatasaray and have some reasons for optimism, despite their poor league form.

The club were knocked out by PSG in the round of 16 last year but pushed Luis Enrique’s side to the limit, while Newcastle were able to hold the same opponent to a draw in this season’s group phase. However, the fixture calendar does not favour Liverpool, who face Manchester City in the FA Cup shortly before the first leg in Paris on April 8.

Liverpool will then face Fulham at home before the second leg, an important fixture in the club’s battle to earn a Champions League spot. Anfield will attempt to create a famous night against PSG on April 14, which could lead to a shock victory for the six-time winners.

Semi-final - Bayern Munich

If Liverpool can overcome PSG, the current Premier League champions will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Real defeated Manchester City in the round of 16 but have been unconvincing at times this season, while Bayern were ruthless against Atalanta and have been more consistent in the Champions League.

The FA Cup could also factor into Liverpool’s prospects but the club are currently set to face Crystal Palace before the Champions League semi-final first legs. Crucially, Slot’s team will face bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford ahead of the return leg.

Liverpool will be unfancied to progress against either Real or Bayern. However, the club have produced Champions League magic on numerous occasions over the years.

Final - Arsenal

Should Liverpool make it to the final, supporters may believe their name is destined to be on the trophy once again. Arsenal are the most complete team on their side of the bracket and are most likely to progress to the final at the Puskas Arena on May 30.

The final will be held the weekend after the Premier League season ends, meaning any potential title celebrations would be well concluded. Liverpool, if there, would hope that the situation can play to their advantage in their own unlikely quest for European glory.