They will learn their opponents during Friday’s draw, after the knockout play-off stage concludes on Wednesday night. Both clubs are aware they will currently meet one of three teams, and that number will drop to two following Wednesday night’s second legs.
For City, they will meet either Bodo/Glimt, who defeated Inter 5-2 on aggregate, or either Real Madrid or Benfica. Real Madrid currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead in that fixture.
For Liverpool, it’s between Atletico Madrid, who secured their spot with a 7-4 aggregate victory on Tuesday night, and either Juventus or Galatasaray. The Turkish side currently hold a 5-2 advantage from the first leg.
For both teams, the first leg will take place away from home.
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However, with Liverpool potentially being paired against Atletico Madrid, and City having the prospect of meeting Real Madrid, it means both sets of supporters could be in the Spanish capital simultaneously.
The opening leg of the last 16 phase will occur on March 10 and 11. The return fixtures will then follow a week later, on March 17 and 18.
Should this prove accurate, and given the recent tensions between the clubs, it suggests that UEFA and local police forces may need to implement additional security measures.
Liverpool and City have been battling for Premier League supremacy in recent years, with City winning more often.
However, Liverpool capitalised on Pep Guardiola’s team’s decline last season to claim their 20th league title.
Both sides will also be aiming to add to their European Cup collections this campaign.
Liverpool have claimed the competition and its forerunner six times, whilst City secured the trophy for the first time in 2022/23.
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