ExplainedLiverpool's Champions League permutations ahead of Lille tie

The Reds host the French side at Anfield in an 8pm GMT kick-off for their seventh match of the new league phase.

Arne Slot’s men boast a perfect record in the competition so far this season with six consecutive wins, are three points clear at the top of the standings and certain of at least a spot in the knockout play-off phase.

Avoiding defeat against Lille would confirm a top-eight finish for Liverpool and automatic progression to the last 16.

Results elsewhere could also see the Reds qualify to the last 16 even if they lose to Lille, with only 11 of the other 35 clubs now mathematically able to overhaul them in the table with two fixtures remaining.

Slot’s team will also travel to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven on January 29 in their last outing of the league phase.

The clubs placed ninth to 24th in the final standings will contest two-legged play-offs against each other to reach the last 16. Those finishing 25th and lower are eliminated from European competition for 2024-25.

The knockout play-offs are scheduled to be played across February 11/12 and February 18/19, before the last-16 ties on March 4/5 and March 11/12.

The top eight finishers in the league phase will be seeded for the last 16, facing a qualifier from the knockout play-offs. The seeded clubs will play the second leg of their last-16 tie at home.