Liverpool look to avoid fixture pileup with Champions League victory over Marseille

Liverpool face Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday in a game that could have massive consequences on their fixture schedule.

Despite their successful 24/25 season, last year’s Premier League title winners have had a tougher time of things this time around.

Arne Slot’s men sit 14 points behind table toppers Arsenal after four consecutive draws – including two against newly-promoted sides.

But the Reds have fared slightly better in the Champions League, and sit on the cusp of a top-eight finish, which would see them automatically qualify for the round of 16.

And with the games coming thick and fast as the season reaches just over the halfway mark, a victory in Marseille is looking even more important as the Reds look to turn their season around.

Where are Liverpool in the Champions League group phase?

Despite a shaky start, which began with a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray, Liverpool sit in 11th place in the Champions League group phase.

The Reds have 12 points to their name, with four wins and two losses from six games. 

Their other defeat, a shock 4-1 loss to PSV at Anfield last time out, could have been more damaging, but Liverpool remain just one point off that pivotal eight-place as they look to secure automatic passage to the round-of-16.

Victory over Roberto De Zerbi’s side could even see them move up to as high as fourth place, with an easier fixture schedule riding on it for the Reds.

A top eight-finish is crucial amid Liverpool fixture nightmare

With Qarabag at home next week, a win in Marseille would put Liverpool in the driving seat for a top-eight finish – and with an already busy February ahead, the Reds will want to avoid an extra play-off round.

Should Arne Slot’s men fail to finish in the top eight, they will play two extra games either side of their trip to Nottingham Forest on February 21st.

This would leave Liverpool with a gruelling run of 11 games between now and the start of March.

However, should Liverpool automatically qualify, the load will be much easier on the legs, with two fewer games and no Champions League fixtures until March.

And in a season that has already seen Liverpool lose Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak to long-term injuries, Arne Slot will be keen to avoid the extra jeopardy.

Liverpool fixture list without top-eight finish:

Marseille (A) – 21/01

Bournemouth (A) – 24/01

Qarabag (H) – 28/01

Newcastle (H) – 31/01

Man City (H) – 8/02

Sunderland (A) – 11/02

Brighton (H) – 14/02

CL R16 play-off – 17/02 or 18/02

Nottm Forest (A)- 21/02

CL R16 play-off – 24/02 or 25/02

West Ham (H) – 28/02

Champions League Table

Position	Team	Matches Played	Points
1	Arsenal	7	19
2	Bayern Munich	7	18
3	Man City	7	16
4	Real Madrid	7	15
5	Atletico Madrid	7	15
6	Tottenham	7	14
7	PSG	6	13
8	Atalanta	6	13
9	Inter Milan	7	13
10	Chelsea	7	13
11	Liverpool	6	12
12	Bayer Leverkusen	7	12
13	Dortmund	6	11
14	Newcastle	6	10
15	Sporting CP	6	10
16	Barcelona	6	10
17	Marseille	6	9
18	Juventus	6	9
19	Galatasaray	6	9
20	Monaco	6	9
21	PSV	6	8
22	Qarabag	6	7
23	Napoli	6	7
24	FC Copenhagen	7	7
25	Benfica	7	6
26	Pafos	6	6
27	Union SG	6	6
28	Athletic Club	6	5
29	Olympiacos	6	5
30	Eintracht Frankfurt	6	4
31	Club Brugge*	6	4
32	Bodo/Glimt	6	3
33	Slavia Prague	6	3
34	Ajax	6	3
35	Villarreal	6	1
36	Kairat Almaty	6	1