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Despite Liverpool’s 2-0 loss to Atalanta on Wednesday night, they remain big favorites to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Reds are currently with nine points from four games, following the loss to the Serie A team.
Jurgen Klopp’s side conceded two goals in the second half at Anfield as the Bergamo side executed their game plan to perfection at the famous stadium.
However, Liverpool continues to lead Group D with nine points from four games played, with Atalanta now with seven, the same tally as Ajax, who beat Midtjylland, with the Danes at the bottom of the table as they have yet to they have achieved only one point. .
The Reds’ next European game is next week as they face Ajax at Anfield, which is now a much bigger game than many would have expected.
Then the following week, Klopp’s men face Midtjylland; where they will expect to have already obtained the qualification.
If the Reds can tie or beat Ajax on Tuesday, they will be guaranteed a place in the round of 16 regardless of Atalanta’s result.
And if the Italian team loses, or draws, against Midtyjlland and Liverpool win the same night, then Klopp’s men will finish the group on top – whatever happens in the last week of the game.
A draw between Liverpool and Ajax guarantees progression because the Reds will be at 10 points, with a better head-to-head record than Atalanta and Ajax.
Even if the Reds then lost to Midtjylland in the last game, 10 points would be enough to secure at least second place regardless of how the other games play out.
However, the worst-case scenario for the Reds is obviously a loss against Ajax, coupled with an Atalanta win against Midtjylland, which would leave them in the dark. third place facing the last day of the following week.
Ajax and Atalanta would be 10 points behind, while Liverpool would follow with 9.
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Then Liverpool would they have to beat Midtjylland in their last match of the group stage if they are to have any chance of winning the group. A draw against Midtjylland can also be enough to qualify for second place in this scenario.
Should a situation occur where Liverpool are tied on points with Ajax or Atalanta after all the matches are played, then the tiebreaker to decide the positions would initially be determined by points in the head-to-head matches between the teams. tied.
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If it’s still level, then it comes down to goal difference in head-to-head matches between the sides involved.
As such, Liverpool are guaranteed to finish above Atalanta if the two teams are tied on points at the end of the group stage.
Additional criteria are set out in the UEFA regulations if further separation is required at that stage.
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