🏆 Champions League Last-16 Draw: What It Means for British Clubs

The group stages are over, and the Champions League knockout rounds are set to begin, with British clubs now awaiting their fate in the last-16 draw. The final standings have ensured that Liverpool and Barcelona cannot meet until the final, while other English teams face a mix of challenging opponents.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming draw and potential matchups:

🔴 Liverpool’s Possible Opponents

Liverpool, having finished in the top two, are set to face one of the following teams in the last 16:

✅ Monaco
✅ Brest
✅ Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
✅ Benfica

A meeting with PSG could be the most high-profile clash, with the possibility of Mohamed Salah vs Kylian Mbappé adding extra excitement.

Similarly, a tie against Monaco or Brest would be an intriguing encounter, with the French clubs showing promise in this season’s campaign.

🔵 Barcelona’s Last-16 Fate

Barcelona, who also secured a top-two finish, will face one of the same possible opponents as Liverpool:

✅ Monaco
✅ Brest
✅ Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
✅ Benfica

This means Liverpool and Barcelona will not face each other until the final, keeping the possibility of a historic showdown alive.

🔴 Arsenal’s Knockout Stage Challenge

Arsenal finished third in their group, meaning they will be paired against a second-place finisher from another group. Their possible opponents include:

✅ Feyenoord
✅ Juventus
✅ AC Milan
✅ PSV Eindhoven

Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping for a favorable draw, but any of these teams could present a significant challenge. A reunion with PSV Eindhoven would be interesting, given their previous encounters in the group stage.

🟣 Aston Villa’s Next Opponent

Aston Villa just squeezed into the top eight after a crucial victory against Celtic. As a result, they will now face one of the following teams:

✅ Sporting CP
✅ Club Brugge
✅ Atalanta
✅ Borussia Dortmund

A matchup with Borussia Dortmund would be particularly exciting, with Villa aiming to prove themselves against one of Germany’s top clubs.

📅 Key Dates for the Knockout Stages

The last-16 ties will be played over two legs on:

📅 4-5 March & 11-12 March

However, the draw for the last 16 takes place on 21 February, at which point clubs will also learn their potential quarter-final and semi-final opponents.

⚔️ Potential British Showdowns in Later Rounds

Depending on how the last-16 draw unfolds, there is a chance that British clubs could meet further down the line:

🔥 Liverpool vs Aston Villa – A potential quarter-final clash if both teams progress.
🔥 Arsenal vs Celtic/Manchester City – Arsenal could face another British club in the quarter-finals.
🔥 All-English Final? – If teams navigate the knockout rounds successfully, a final featuring two Premier League clubs is still a possibility.

All of this will become clearer once the 21 February draw is completed.

📢 What’s Next?

With Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa all in the mix, the knockout rounds promise thrilling encounters. Fans now eagerly await the last-16 draw, which will shape the road to the final and set up potential heavyweight clashes.

📌 Which matchup are you hoping for?
📌 Can Liverpool go all the way to the final?

Let us know your thoughts below! ⬇️⚽