Liverpool will face Champions League rematch after controversial decision

Liverpool will face a rematch against either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 next month after both sides progressed through the playoffs

Arne Slot is aiming to win the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool is set for a rematch against either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 next month.

The Reds previously faced both teams in the Champions League's opening stage, securing a 3-2 victory over Atletico at Anfield on the first matchday, but suffering a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul two weeks later. Galatasaray secured its spot after a nail-biting second-leg playoff against Juventus on Wednesday.

Despite winning 5-2 at home the previous week, Galatasaray was defeated 3-2 after extra-time, ultimately progressing 7-5 on aggregate. Juventus was leading 3-0 at the end of regular time, even after being reduced to 10 men when it was only one goal ahead three minutes into the second half, following the controversial dismissal of former Liverpool target Lloyd Kelly.

Atletico advanced the previous day. Having drawn 3-3 with Club Brugge last week, the Spanish team comfortably won 4-1 against the Belgian side in Madrid.

The draw for the last 16, scheduled for 11am UK time (6am ET) on Friday in Nyon, will also outline Liverpool's potential path to the final in Budapest on May 30.

If they make it to the quarterfinals, Arne Slot's players could face Chelsea, Barcelona, Newcastle or Paris Saint-Germain.

Lloyd Kelly received a controversial red card on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)

PSG, the current champion, drew at home to Monaco in Wednesday's playoff second leg, advancing on aggregate.

While the precise dates for Liverpool's round of 16 fixture remain unconfirmed, the first leg is expected to take place on Tuesday, March 10, with the return leg at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18.

Real Madrid and Atalanta - who overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to triumph 4-1 at home against Borussia Dortmund - also progressed through the playoffs to join Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester City, Bodo/Glimt and Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

While Liverpool is hoping to win the Champions League, Slot is also looking to qualify for next year's tournament.

The Reds are sixth in the table, three points behind Manchester United in fourth and level on points with Chelsea in fifth.

A top-four finish is needed to guarantee Champions League qualification, but a fifth-placed finish could also be enough to secure a spot in the tournament.

Slot recently said: "If we don’t have Champions League football, it’s definitely not been an acceptable season."

Liverpool's next game is against West Ham at Anfield on Saturday.