Liverpool
will face Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 tie in a repeat of
the 2022 final, while Chelsea were drawn against Borussia Dortmund.
Vinicius Junior's winner saw Real Madrid lift their 14th European title in
May's final, following on from Real's 3-1 victory against Liverpool in the
2018 Champions League final in Kyiv.
But Liverpool will now get an early opportunity to exact some revenge for
that loss as they bid to reach the quarter-finals in this season's
competition.
Reacting to the draw, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told Sky
Sports News: "It's a very difficult tie for Liverpool. Finishing second in
their group, they don't get the opportunity to play at home in the second
leg.
"However, Jurgen Klopp's side will want to avenge the final defeat last
year, even though it doesn't win you the competition. It does give you
something to put right, though."
Graham Potter's Chelsea will take on Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, with
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic facing their former club.
Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic said of the draw: "We have a top team
waiting for us. In Aubameyang and Pulisic we're meeting old friends. We're
looking forward to seeing you again and of course, we want to make it
through to the next round."
Tottenham were drawn against AC Milan, and will be an added incentive for
Spurs boss Antonio Conte who previously managed Milan's fierce city rivals
Inter between 2019 and 2021.
Manchester City face a tie against RB Leipzig as they harbour ambitions of
reaching a second Champions League final. Pep Guardiola's side have lost
only one of their last 17 matches against German sides in the Champions
League (W14 D2) - although that defeat came away at RB Leipzig in December
2021.
Elsewhere, in another replay of a recent final, PSG have been drawn against
Bayern Munich in another stand-out last 16 tie. Bayern were 1-0 winners in
the 2020 final against the Ligue 1 side, winning their sixth European title.
UEFA will announce which games will be played when later on Monday.
Champions League last 16 draw in full
- RB Leipzig vs Man City
- Club Brugge vs Benfica
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid
- AC Milan vs Tottenham
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli
- Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea
- Inter Milan vs Porto
- PSG vs Bayern Munich
'Last 16 timing good for Liverpool'
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on Sky Sports News:
"If the games were to happen now, I think it would be a real challenge for
Liverpool.
"But, given the timing of the games in February, I think it is a good moment
for Liverpool to try to correct what is going on at the moment and to put
themselves in a better position.
"Potentially, they could maybe even try to sign some players in January.
"It's a great game. You've got to beat the best teams and that's what you've
got in Real Madrid. They are the defending champions and you want to go to
their backyard in the second leg, cause a problem and hopefully win the
game."
'Spurs shouldn't fear AC Milan'Z
Stephen Warnock on Sky Sports News:
"At any point in the competition now you have got to fancy your chances. You
have got to believe you are capable of winning games.
"When you look at all the draws of the English sides I think Liverpool have
arguably got the hardest draw, but you look at the rest and they should
progress out of those games.
"For Spurs, I don't look at AC Milan and fear them. I know they are Serie A
champions, but I don't think you'd fear them.
"I'd rather not play Napoli."
When will the games be played?
The first legs of the last 16 games will be played on the midweeks of
February 14-15, and February 21-22 2023. UEFA will announce which games will
be played on which days and weeks later on Monday.
The second legs will be played across March 7-8 and March 14-15.
Beyond the last 16...
For those sides lucky enough to reach the quarter-finals, it's a free for
all from then on - with no restrictions on who can draw one another.
The draw for the last eight and the semi-finals will be held on March 17,
with the quarter-final first legs held on April 11-12 and the second legs on
April 18-19.
The first legs of the semi-finals will be held on May 9-10, and the second
legs on May 16-17. The Champions League final will then be held in Istanbul
on June 10.
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