UEFA Champions League Draw Punishes Liverpool For Finishing Second In Group A
Liverpool have been drawn against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds will host the first leg at Anfield in mid-February before the return match takes place in Madrid in March.
Liverpool knew a tough draw was on the cards after they finished second in Group A, behind Napoli.
That left Jurgen Klopp's side unseeded and guaranteed to be paired with a group winner.
But to be drawn against Real was the worst possible scenario.
Real are the most successful club in the history of European soccer, while they are also the current holders of the Champions League trophy, having beaten Liverpool in last season's final.
A photo taken during the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool
IMAGO/Moritz Muller
Napoli's reward for winning Group A was a much less intimidating clash with Frankfurt in the round of 16.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all won their groups.
City's next opponent will be RB Leipzig, while Chelsea will also face a German team in Borussia Dortmund.
Tottenham will meet AC Milan in the last 16.
Spurs beat Milan 1-0 over two legs at this stage of the tournament in 2011 in the London club's first ever Champions League campaign.
UEFA Champions League Last 16 Draw In Full
| 2022/23 Champions League Last 16 |
|---|
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City |
Club Brugge vs Benfica |
Liverpool vs Real Madrid |
AC Milan vs Tottenham |
Frankfurt vs Napoli |
Dortmund vs Chelsea |
Inter Milan vs Porto |
PSG vs Bayern |
