Liverpool Champions League draw simulated as Reds face difficult run to final

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Liverpool awaits its Champions League round of 16 opponents ahead of Friday's draw, with a simulation predicting a potential clash against Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray

Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter

17:03, 26 Feb 2026

Liverpool will be in the leading pot of seeds, but it cannot draw another English side(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool will face either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16, with its opponent to be revealed on Friday.

The Reds are among six Premier League sides who have advanced to the next stage of the competition. Arsenal topped the league phase table in Europe's premier club tournament, while Liverpool and Tottenham secured third and fourth places, respectively. Chelsea claimed sixth spot, with Manchester City qualifying in eighth position.

While Newcastle finished 12th in the Champions League standings, the Magpies will also join their Premier League rivals in the round of 16 after a comprehensive 9-3 aggregate triumph over Qarabag across two legs.

As each club currently awaits confirmation of its next opposition, Liverpool.com has simulated how the last 16 of the Champions League could look.

In our simulated draw, Liverpool will meet Atletico Madrid in the next round of the Champions League. The two sides have already clashed in the competition this season, with the Reds emerging 3-2 victors at Anfield in September.

However, the last time they met in the knockout stages, Atleti secured a 4-2 aggregate victory to eliminate the Premier League team.

Liverpool is through to the knockout stages of the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)

Elsewhere, the draw has pitted Chelsea against PSG in the next round, while Arsenal is set to take on Atalanta.

Newcastle could be up against the formidable Barcelona if our simulation is spot on, while Manchester City is drawn against Real Madrid. Tottenham is also predicted to face Galatasaray if the forecast holds true.