Liverpool's Champions League path becomes clearer as Reds could face unwanted return

Liverpool is a step closer to finding out who it could play in the last-16 of the Champions League, with its first potential opponents having gone head-to-head in the play-offs

Davinson Sanchez celebrates after giving Galatasaray the lead over Juventus(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has a better idea of who it could face in the last-16 of the Champions League now, with Galatasaray having moved a step closer to a potential meeting with the Reds.

Arne Slot’s side has avoided having to go through the extra play-off round in Europe after securing a top-eight finish during the league phase. The Reds can therefore sit back and wait before continuing their campaign for a seventh European crown next month.

They will be keeping a close eye on events during the play-offs though, having already found out which sides they could potentially face next in the knockout stages.

Liverpool will be pitted against one of Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid, with the draw for the last-16 scheduled for February 27. Galatasaray though has already moved a big step closer to a place in the next round.

The Turkish side claimed a 5-2 win in the first leg of its play-off against Juventus, with the Italian side having a mountain to climb for the return game next week, when it will have home advantage in Turin.

Teun Koopmeiners scored twice to give the visitors the lead in Istanbul on Tuesday, after Gabriel Sara had given the hosts the lead after 15 minutes. Noa Lang brought Galatasaray level after the break, with Davinson Sanchez putting the Turkish side back in the lead.

Juventus' job was made even harder when Juan Cabal was sent off after picking up a second booking, meaning he will now miss the second leg. Lang then extended the hosts' lead, before Sacha Boey made it five.

Teun Koopmeiners scored twice for Juventus in the first leg of its play-off against Galatasaray(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool fans may well be hoping that they can avoid another trip to Galatasaray, having already lost there during the league phase, although - based on their finishes in the opening stage at least - Juventus might represent the tougher opponent.

It will be one of Liverpool or Tottenham that faces the winner of that play-off, with the other side facing the winner of Club Brugge vs Atletico, the first leg of which takes place in Belgium on Wednesday.

The Reds will also be keeping a close eye on the later games in the Champions League today as they look toward their potential quarter-final opponents, with a rematch against Paris Saint-Germain on the cards.

Liverpool was of course knocked out by the French champions last season in the last-16, with Luis Enrique’s side going on to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time.

PSG faces fellow French side Monaco in the play-offs, with the winner of that tie going on to face one of Barcelona or Chelsea in the last-16 before a potential meeting with Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Benfica and Real Madrid face each other again, just a few weeks after the Portuguese side secured a spot in the play-offs in the most dramatic of circumstance by beating the Spanish giant in the final league phase game.

Borussia Dortmund takes on Atalanta as well today, with any one of those four sides representing potential semi-final opponents should Liverpool make it that far into the competition.