Liverpool's potential Champions League opponents as qualifying almost done

6 days ago 45

Liverpool will discover its Champions League league stage adversaries in three weeks, with the draw set for 28 August in Monaco.

Arne Slot and the Reds have already secured their spot in pot one, while 29 teams have qualified for this season's expanded 36-team tournament. With qualifying rounds still underway, seven spots are yet to be filled.

Following the first legs of the third qualifying round this week, UEFA is inching closer to finalizing the list of teams competing in the latest iteration of the continental competition. In the league path, Rangers is on the brink of reaching the playoff round after a 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen in its third qualifying round first leg.

If the Scottish team does advance, either Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge will stand in its way of a spot in the league stage. The Belgian side currently holds a 1-0 aggregate lead, as it aims to secure its place in the final qualifying round.

The second league path playoff round tie will be contested between Nice/Benfica and Feyenoord/Fenerbache. The Portuguese team holds a 2-0 aggregate lead against its Ligue 1 rival, while Arne Slot's former club has a 2-1 advantage over Jose Mourinho's squad.

Meanwhile, the champions path will determine the final five places, with Celtic awaiting one of the third qualifying round winners. Bodo/Glimt and Sturm Graz have already secured their spots in the playoff round, guaranteeing that one of them will join Liverpool in this season's league phase draw.

Liverpool will find out its opponents later this month

Celtic is poised to take on the winners of Kairat and Slovan Bratislava from the third qualifying round, with the Kazakh team currently holding a 1-0 aggregate lead. Basel has also advanced to the playoff round and will face either Malmo or Copenhagen, following a goalless draw between the Scandinavian rivals in their third qualifying round first leg.

Red Star Belgrade, having won 3-1 in its first leg against Lech Poznan, is well-positioned for the playoff round. Belgrade will face the victors of Dynamo Kyiv and Pafos, with the Cypriot side currently leading 1-0 on aggregate.

In other news, the final champions path playoff round tie will be contested between Ludogorets Razgrad/Ferencvaros and Shkendija/Qarabag. The Hungarian team, managed by ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Keane and boasting Naby Keita amongst its ranks, drew 0-0 with the Bulgarian side in its third qualifying round first leg. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani team holds a 1-0 aggregate lead against its Macedonian opponent.

Liverpool will square off against eight different teams in this season's league phase, mirroring last year's format. The Reds will be drawn against two teams from each pot, with four matches set to be played at Anfield and four on the road.