Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool could face Real Madrid rematch as Champions League route becomes clearer

Liverpool could be handed an instant reunion with Real Madrid in next season's Champions League as the draw for the group stage begins to take shape.

The Reds were denied in their attempt to win a seventh European Cup when they were beaten by the Spaniards 1-0 in Paris during an occasion marred by organisational chaos that threatened the safety of Liverpool supporters outside the stadium before, during and after the match.

Real's win means they go into Pot One as top seeds for the group stage of next season's competition, along with the champions of the leading leagues and Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt. And with Liverpool leading the way in Pot Two, there is a chance the pair could be placed in the same group when the draw is made on August 25.

READ MORE: Sadio Mane replacement targeted as Liverpool braced for Bayern Munich transfer bid

READ MORE: Sadio Mane replacements Liverpool could sign this summer

Along with Real and Frankfurt, also in Pot One are AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-German, Porto, Ajax and Manchester City, who, as a fellow Premier League club, Liverpool will not be able to face in the group stage.

Jurgen Klopp's side will also not be drawn against teams joining them in Pot Two - Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur.

Seven of the eight teams in Pot Three have been confirmed, with Benfica still to negotiate the qualifying stages. If they succeed, they will be alongside Borussia Dortmund, Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon and Bayer Leverkusen.

With six of the 32 berths still to be decided, the majority of those that progress through the play-offs will be in Pot Four. However, Marseille, Bruges and Celtic have already qualified and will be in the final pot.

The Reds progress to the final in Paris means their coefficient - which is calculated by taking into account European records over the previous five seasons - is bettered only by Bayern Munich.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.