Liverpool’s horror path to Champions League last as Arsenal handed ‘best route ever’
Liverpool were paired against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 and face a very difficult path to the final, while Arsenal were gifted a side of the draw including only one former winner
Liverpool have a nightmare route to the final(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool will encounter a rematch against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 – and are set for a potential clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals in a brutal potential path to the final.
The Reds were drawn against the Turkish outfit when the knockout stage draw took place in Nyon on Friday morning. Arne Slot’s side also learned their route to the final in Budapest on May 30, which could turn into a potential nightmare.
And having been positioned in the silver section of the draw, Liverpool know they will meet the victors of the clash between PSG or Chelsea in the last eight, with the second leg occurring at Anfield.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
It also means the Reds would then need to defeat one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Liverpool, owing to their seeding, would be at home in the first leg, reports the Liverpool Echo.
While the dates for the encounter against Galatasaray have yet to be confirmed, it is believed the away leg will take place on Tuesday, March 10 with the Anfield return on Wednesday, March 18.
The Reds suffered a 1-0 defeat in Istanbul in the second game of this season’s league stage. They exchanged 3-2 home victories in the group stage in 2006/07 and drew home and away in the competition in 2001/02.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
And Liverpool’s tough route to the final is in complete contradiction to Arsenal – who are on the blue side of the draw. Arsenal have a clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
Should they win, they will then face either Sporting CP or Bodo/Glimt. And there’s a potential semi-final with Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham.
Liverpool’s side of the draw is packed with European pedigree and teams with multiple Champions League triumphs. But Arsenal’s side of the draw features only one club – Barcelona – who have won a European Cup before.
“Easy route again,” one fan moaned on X, formerly known as Twitter. While a second said: “Arsenal has the easiest way to the final but they will somewhere bottle it in the QFs or SFs…”
“Arsenal have an easy route to the final then,” a third posted. And another added: “Of course Arsenal have an easier route. Bayern having to play City or Madrid now too…”
