Liverpool will play Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 as Arne Slot’s side aim to end an up-and-down season with continental glory.
The Reds ultimately won six and lost two of their eight games in the league phase to claim third spot in the table, although endured a couple of rough spots during that spell – most notably when suffering a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to PSV in November.
But they are safely into the knockouts and in a season where a proper Premier League title challenge has failed to materialise, Europe offers an opportunity to still pick up some silverware after last winning the Champions League in 2019.
Liverpool lost to Galatasaray in the league phase, going down 1-0 in Istanbul following Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty. The result was the second defeat of a four-game losing slump in late September and early October. Galatasaray knocked out Juventus 7-5 on aggregate, having won 5-2 at home in the first leg.
The first leg will take place in Turkey on Tuesday 10 March, before the tie concludes at Anfield eight days later on Wednesday 18 March.
Liverpool’s Champions League draw
Should they progress past Galatasaray, Liverpool will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea in the quarter-finals. As Liverpool are third seeds, they are guaranteed to be at home in the second leg until the semi-finals.
What about the semi-finals?
If Liverpool reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, they know they would play one of four teams:
They are Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta and Bayern Munich.
Liverpool be at home in the second leg, unless they play second seeds Bayern.
Full Champions League bracket
Top half
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bottom half
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
What are the match dates?
The last-16 ties will take place in mid-March. Here are the remaining round dates:
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
What are Liverpool’s Champions League odds?
Betting sites see Liverpool as one of the more favoured teams to lift the Champions League, though five teams still above them in the current winner odds.
Winner – 8/1
To reach the final – 9/2
Odds provided by BetVictor
Mohamed Salah backed to break longest goal drought of Liverpool career
Liverpool boss Arne Slot gives concerning Florian Wirtz injury update
Arsenal’s Champions League draw and path to final revealed
Newcastle’s Champions League draw and path to final revealed
Tottenham’s Champions League draw and path to final revealed
