Liverpool's Champions League journey is becoming clearer, but a potential return to a familiar opponent could be an unwanted development. The Reds are inching closer to discovering their last-16 opponents, with one potential clash already taking shape. After securing a top-eight finish in the league phase, Liverpool has avoided the extra playoff round in Europe, allowing them to sit back and wait for their next match. However, they will be closely monitoring the playoffs, as they have already learned which teams they could face in the knockout stages. Liverpool's next opponents could be one of Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge, or Atletico Madrid, with the draw for the last-16 set for February 27. Galatasaray has already taken a significant step towards securing a spot in the next round, after winning the first leg of their playoff against Juventus 5-2. The Turkish side's win puts them in a strong position for the return game next week, where they will have the home advantage in Turin. Teun Koopmeiners scored twice for the visitors in Istanbul on Tuesday, after Gabriel Sara had given the hosts the lead after 15 minutes. Noa Lang brought Galatasaray level after the break, with Davinson Sanchez putting the Turkish side back in the lead. Juventus' chances were further hindered when Juan Cabal was sent off after picking up a second booking, meaning he will miss the second leg. Lang then extended the hosts' lead, before Sacha Boey made it five. Liverpool fans may be hoping to avoid another trip to Galatasaray, having already lost there during the league phase. However, based on their finishes in the opening stage, Juventus might represent the tougher opponent. It will be either Liverpool or Tottenham that faces the winner of the Galatasaray-Juventus playoff, with the other side facing the winner of Club Brugge vs Atletico, the first leg of which takes place in Belgium on Wednesday. The Reds will also be keeping a close eye on the later games in the Champions League today as they look toward their potential quarter-final opponents, with a rematch against Paris Saint-Germain on the cards. Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas. Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world. Liverpool was knocked out by the French champions last season in the last-16, with Luis Enrique’s side going on to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time. PSG faces fellow French side Monaco in the playoffs, with the winner of that tie going on to face one of Barcelona or Chelsea in the last-16 before a potential meeting with Liverpool in the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Benfica and Real Madrid face each other again, just a few weeks after the Portuguese side secured a spot in the playoffs in the most dramatic of circumstances by beating the Spanish giant in the final league phase game. Borussia Dortmund takes on Atalanta today, with any one of those four sides representing potential semi-final opponents should Liverpool make it that far into the competition.
