Liverpool handed new Champions League last-16 hint after Premier League decision

A Premier League statement has provided strong hints about when Liverpool will play its Champions League round of 16 fixtures in March, though the draw takes place on Friday

Liverpool will find out its last-16 opponents in the Champions League later this week(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool must wait until Friday to learn the identity of its opponents in the Champions League round of 16.

However, supporters already have a fairly clear picture of how to plan their schedules between now and next month's international break, as the Reds brace themselves for what could be a crucial run of seven matches in just 22 days.

The addition of two extra fixtures in the Champions League's opening stage, along with the requirement of an extra play-off round to determine the final 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage, has resulted in a considerably tighter schedule between games.

Indeed, fewer than two weeks will separate this Friday's round of 16 draw and Liverpool's first leg away from home.

A Premier League statement released this week, however, has strongly indicated when those fixtures are likely to take place — and that the Reds' scheduled top-flight matches during this period will remain unaffected, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The Premier League confirmed that West Ham United v Manchester City on Saturday, March 14 at 12.30 pm GMT and Arsenal v Everton on Sunday, March 15 at 2 pm GMT are at risk of rescheduling as a consequence of the forthcoming Champions League knockout stage draw.

Liverpool are waiting to discover its Champions League opponents(Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)

In City's case, this is because UEFA cannot guarantee their first away leg will fall on Tuesday, March 10. The Premier League has introduced a rule stipulating that clubs who play away in the Champions League on a Wednesday cannot be involved in a Saturday early kick-off.

The threat to the Arsenal fixture is what directly impacts Liverpool. Much like the Reds, both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will host their Champions League round of 16 second leg ties at home, having secured top-eight finishes in the league stage.

As is the case with Liverpool and Everton, the North London rivals do not share home matchdays. With Liverpool's Premier League encounter against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday, March 15 remaining unaffected, it suggests both sides must be contesting their Champions League second legs on the Wednesday.

Whilst official confirmation will only come following Friday's draw, all signs point to Liverpool facing its round of 16 away leg on Tuesday, March 10, with the home fixture following on Wednesday, March 18.

Having been spared an away second leg, Liverpool's top-flight visit to Brighton will proceed as scheduled at 12.30 pm GMT on Saturday, March 21.

Liverpool kick off a hectic run of fixtures with a home Premier League clash against West Ham United on Saturday, before a double-header against Wolves — first in the league on Tuesday, then back to Molineux for the FA Cup fifth round three days later.