Liverpool will face either Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Club Brugge in the Champions League last 16(Image: Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Resounding victory over Qarabag on Wednesday night ensured representatives of Liverpool didn't have to keep their Fridays free for a trip to Switzerland this morning for the Champions League play-off draw. But that doesn't mean the Reds won't be taking a keen interest in events from Nyon.

Arne Slot's side secured a top-eight berth and direct qualification for the last 16, with teams placed between ninth and 24th in the 36-team table now having to negotiate a two-legged play-off round to join Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City in the first knockout stage.

Since the introduction of the revamped Champions League last season, UEFA use a predetermined route based on final league placing to decide the pairings for the final stages of the competition.

Liverpool, by finishing third, are...