:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63236023/171460700.jpg.0.jpg)
As the footballing world waits on pins and needles to find out how big of a bribe City paid to get Porto, there’s also the matter of other match-ups in the Champions League quarterfinals. At 11 AM GMT, the Ping Pong Balls of Destiny will decide the fates of the remaining 6 teams, including Liverpool.
So who will we be proclaiming defiantly, “We’re not stuck in here with you, you’re stuck in here with us!” about come tomorrow?
BARCELONA
| 5-Time Winner|
La Liga | 1st Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #2
SPI Ranking: #3
The toughest three match ups are in the “Bring me Thanos!” category, including our recent transfer foes Barcelona. Liverpool have had the upper hand in recent-ish history against Barcelona, beating them in the semifinals of the 2001 UEFA Cup and in 2007 in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, including a memorable win at the Nou Camp. This is not to say that it’s a name we want to see drawn—we most certainly don’t. But to be the best, you have to beat the best, and they are one of the best remaining in the competition (unlucky, Real Madrid). Bonus: getting to see Philippe Coutinho blast shots into the Kop like old times.
JUVENTUS
| 2-Time Winner|
Serie A | 1st Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #5
SPI Ranking: #6
Perhaps not exactly a rematch, but another showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo would certainly drive the #Narrative going into this matchup. Juve easily topped their group of Manchester United, Valencia, and Young Boys, and are running away with Serie A (as per usual). Like Barca, Juve have the league all but sorted, so there’s no doubt that Juve will be solely focused on Champions League glory (or given their history, more likely Champions League runners up).
MANCHESTER CITY
| 1-Time Semifinalist|
Premier League| 1st Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #6
SPI Ranking: #1
As I said, we won’t have to worry about this because City are definitely drawing Porto. But in the off chance that the bribes weren’t sufficient, Liverpool could be in a tough rematch from the quarterfinals last year. Of course, the Reds in Europe were too much for the centurians to handle last year, with Liverpool trotting off 5-1 aggregate winners. Just think of all the unread books in Pep’s collection if we draw them again.
PORTO
| 2-Time Winner|
Primeira Liga | 1st Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #9
SPI Ranking: #24
Yes please.
MANCHESTER UNITED
| 3-Time Winner|
Premier League | 5th Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #16
SPI Ranking: #17
United are having a surprise resurgence under possible (likely?) Rice Crispy elf Ole Gunnar Solskjær. As we saw away at Old Trafford, it’s an incredibly talented side, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, on balance these Reds will be favorites to go through against their old foes, as they did in the Europa League in the Round of 16 three years ago.
TOTTENHAM
Premier League | 3rd Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #18
SPI Ranking: #12
Spurs might be the worst possible opponent because we’d be expected to win AND they’d make us work like hell for 180 minutes to get there. Tottenham have lost touching distance with the Top 2, and are now in the midst of a real challenge for Top 4. That might play to our advantage, but it’s impossible to see any team really rolling over at this stage in the competition.
AJAX
| 4-Time Winner|
Eredivisie | 2nd Place
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: #22
SPI Ranking: #11
This is also probably in the “Yes, please” category. As we saw against Real Madrid, they shouldn’t be taken lightly, but equally, Liverpool will be favorites against the Dutch side. Plus who doesn’t want a trip to Amsterdam? Beats the hell out of Manchester, that’s for sure.