Three Premier League clubs remain in the Champions League (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool know that it won’t get much easier for them in the Champions League if they get past Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 this evening. Unlike previous years, there will be no draw later this week to determine the quarter-finals – because every team already knows their route to the final in Munich thanks to the UEFA tournament’s new format. Arsenal will be braced for a much tougher test in the next round with progression already secured thanks to a club-record 7-1 win away at PSV last week.
The Reds meanwhile welcome PSG to Anfield tonight protecting a slender 1-0 lead. Harvey Elliott’s late winner at the Parc des Princes sealed a smash-and-grab victory for Arne Slot‘s Premier League champions-elect. But they will face another testing 90 minutes on Merseyside against the Parisians who were brilliant, albeit unable to score, in the first leg. And if Liverpool overcome the French champions, they know Aston Villa could come next in an all-English quarter-final.
Slot and co. stand to face the winner of Villa’s tie with Club Brugge and Unai Emery’s men take a 3-1 lead back to Villa Park tomorrow night. Brugge progressing to the last eight would be a huge shock given the first-leg scoreline.
It would be an even bigger surprise if Arsenal were not to progress. They have an incredible six-goal advantage to play with at the Emirates tomorrow and have all but secured their spot in the next stage already barring the most miraculous comeback in football history. But after breezing past PSV, either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid await. Los Blancos, the reigning European champions, won the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Should Arsenal get past either Madrid side, they would then meet either Liverpool or Villa in another all-Premier League tie in the semi-finals. Barcelona could be the opponents for any of the English trio in the final in Munich at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, May 31.
Liverpool, PSG and Aston Villa are all hopeful of making the quarter-finals (Image: GETTY)
Last 16
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
Borussia Dortmund vs Lille
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
Feyenoord vs Inter Milan
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
Benfica vs Barcelona
Quarter-finals
PSG or Liverpool vs Club Brugge or Aston Villa
PSV or Arsenal vs Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid
Benfica or Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund or Lille
Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen vs Feyenoord or Inter Milan
Semi-finals
PSV or Arsenal/Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid vs PSG or Liverpool/Club Brugge or Aston Villa
Benfica or Barcelona/Borussia Dortmund or Lille vs Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen/Feyenoord or Inter Milan
