Sadio Mane could be set to make an Anfield return with his Bayern Munich side as Monday’s Champions League draw gives the two sides a near 40 percent chance of facing off.
The round of 16 draw is scheduled to get underway at 11am UK time on Monday 7 November.
Liverpool finished second in their group as a result of the disastrous 4-1 loss to Napoli in the opening game of the group. The Italian side went on to win the next four games leaving Liverpool unable to catch them until the final game where they needed to outdo the first result to top their group.
A 2-0 win at Anfield for Jurgen Klopp’s team last week wasn’t enough and has left The Reds running the gauntlet of facing the top sides in Europe, who managed to finish top in their group.
Liverpool’s potential opponent list of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Porto looks somewhat favourable given that until the 92nd minute of Wednesday’s fixtures it looked like Paris Saint Germain instead of Benfica.
Aquí tenéis la tabla con todas las probabilidades de todos los posibles emparejamientos del sorteo de octavos de final de la #UCL 2022-23.
Hay casi un 40% de opciones de que se enfrenten Bayern (pleno en el grupo de la muerte) y Liverpool (mejor segundo de todos los tiempos). pic.twitter.com/XX28zTuF8w
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) November 2, 2022
However, due to the seedings in the draw, Liverpool have been set at a 39.8% chance of drawing German giants Bayern Munich in the last 16 knockout stage. That would see an emotional reunion with Mane who departed for Bayern in the summer.
The serial Bundesliga champions smashed their way through a relatively tough group, winning all six of their games against Inter Milan, Barcelona and Victoria Plzen whilst conceding in only one of their fixtures.
Liverpool’s next most likely opponents are even less favourable, as a rematch of last season’s final has a 20% chance of being drawn on Monday. Real Madrid were less convincing in the group stages, winning four of their games in a group with RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic.
‘Los Blancos’ are still the European Champions though and proved their worth in the competition last season, coming from behind against both Chelsea and Manchester City en-route to Paris.
Liverpool’s other options are Benfica, who could still be a tough tie given they were able to top their group with European giants PSG and Juventus, as well as Porto who Liverpool have faced in three of the last four Champions League seasons.
The other three English clubs, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City were all able to top their groups. Their draws, other than the possibility of PSG, look far more favourable and the Premier League trio will be looking to the next round where they have the possibility of playing each other.
