What Liverpool must do to advance to the round of 16 in the Champions League
As the Reds have just got themselves a thumping 7-1 win, Liverpool still needs a few more points in order to reach the last 16?
How can Liverpool reach the last 16 knockout stage in UCL?
After four games, Liverpool are second in Group A with nine points. They have defeated Rangers both at home and away, defeated Ajax at Anfield, and lost to Napoli.
Given that they have won each of their four European games thus far this season, Napoli sits three points ahead of Liverpool at the top of the group. The outcome on Wednesday at Ibrox makes it literally impossible for Rangers to advance to the round of 16. Liverpool knows they are close to securing their place in the knockout rounds, but there are still two group games left. One against Napoli at Anfield and another versus Ajax in Amsterdam.
Simply put, Liverpool will guarantee their spot in the round of 16 if they get at least one point from their final two group games.
This is due to the fact that Ajax can only surpass nine points—the number Liverpool now have—by winning both of their next two games.
The Dutch champions Ajax presently sit in the third position with three points, making it theoretically impossible for them to pass Liverpool after they reach the 10-point mark with one more point.
Since their opening-day triumph over Rangers, the Dutch team has dropped all three of their group matches, and Liverpool’s recent successes have made it exceedingly challenging for them to advance.
Can Ajax catch up to the Reds?
Yes, but they would also require a miracle. On matchday five, Ajax must defeat Liverpool in Amsterdam to have any hopes of qualifying ahead of the Reds.
In the event of such an outcome, Liverpool would host Napoli and Ajax would go to Rangers on the last matchday.
Ajax now has a 10-goal disadvantage over Liverpool in goal differential, so a significant change in circumstances would be required for Ajax to overtake Klopp’s team and go into second place.
