Liverpool Champions League permutations: what the Reds need to avoid UEFA Europa League and elimination from continental competition.
Liverpool are the masters of their own destiny in Europe with five matches gone in UEFA Champions League Group B, but could still drop into the Europa League or out of continental competition altogether.
Here are all the possible scenarios.
1. UEFA Champions League progression
Real Madrid have qualified as Group B winners, having won each of their five games so far, but second place is still wide open.
FC Basel currently sit nine points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side in second with six points, while both Liverpool and Ludogorets have four points apiece.
A Liverpool victory over Basel at Anfield on Matchday Six will see them qualify for the Champions League knockout stages ahead of the Swiss giants.
2. UEFA Europa League qualification
Liverpool will reach the Europa League with a draw or a loss with FC Basel – as long as Ludogorets do not better their result in their final match against Real Madrid.
3. Elimination from Europe
If Liverpool suffer a worse result against FC Basel than Ludogorets achieve against Real Madrid, they will be eliminated from European competition entirely, and will only have domestic trophies of Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup to play for.