Liverpool, PSG & Napoli Champions League Permutations: Back-to-back Reds‘ losses have blown the Group C standings wide open, with only three points separating three teams with one round of matches to go
Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli are taking the race for qualification from Group C in the Champions League down to the wire with numerous permutations possible ahead of the final round of matches.
Only three points currently separate the aforementioned trio, and all three sides will be hopeful of securing passage to the knockout stage.
The Reds lost out away to PSG in their most recent European outing which, coupled with their shock loss to Red Star, leaves them at risk of missing out on a spot in the last 16 when the Champions League group stage comes to a close this week.
Destiny remains in their own hands, however, though Napoli and PSG could still swing the results in their favour.
So what results do the individual teams need in order to progress to the next stage? Goal takes a look.
What are the current standings of Group C of the Champions League?
As it stands going into matchday six, Napoli sit at the top of Group C on nine points.
Group C is the only group without at least one team already secure in their place in the knockout round of the competition.
Red Star, pegged as the weakest team in the group on paper at the beginning of the competition, sit in last and are the only side without a chance of moving on to the last 16.
Napoli, Liverpool and PSG could all have a chance of progressing to the last 16 in the final matchday, though what exactly has to happen for each side is where it gets confusing.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Napoli | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| PSG | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +5 | 8 |
| Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Red Star Belgrade | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -9 | 4 |
Remaining Champions League Group C fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (UK) |
| December 11 | Liverpool vs Napoli | 11pm |
| December 11 | Red Star vs PSG | 11pm |
What results do Liverpool need to qualify from their Champions League group?
Liverpool will be assured of their place in the last 16 should they beat Napoli either 1-0 or by two clear goals at Anfield.
Klopp’s side would also be through with any win should PSG drop points with either a loss or draw against Red Star in their group finale.
A one-goal win at 2-1 or higher would see Liverpool finish third should PSG beat Red Star.
What results do PSG need to qualify from their Champions League group?
PSG’s path to the last-16 is only 100 per cent clear with a win over Red Star on the final matchday.
Should the French giants draw their final match, only a Napoli loss to Liverpool at a scoreline of 4-3 or higher would see Thomas Tuchel’s side fail to reach the knockout rounds on the three team head-to-head.
A loss would likely leave Neymar and company on the outside looking in, while only a win and Napoli falling to beat Liverpool would see PSG top the group.
What results do Napoli need to qualify from their Champions League group?
The Serie A side will be guaranteed to go through if they avoid defeat at Liverpool on December 11, and would also be through if PSG lose to Red Star Belgrade.
Victory at Anfield also makes top spot in Group C certain.
Defeat to Liverpool will most likely result in Napoli finishing third, though a one-goal loss at 2-1 or higher would see them through.
Do Red Star still have a change of qualifying from their Champions League group?
Red Star’s shock 2-0 win against Liverpool blew the Group C standings wide open, but they were officially eliminated from contention with their loss to Napoli on matchday five.
What are other permutations for top teams in the Champions League?
In Group A, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will advance to the last 16. The Spanish side can top the group with a win against Club Brugge on the final matchday, while the Bundesliga side need to win away to Monaco and for Atletico to drop points to finish top.
In Group B, Barcelona are the only team to have qualified to the knockout stage and have secured top spot in the group. Tottenham must match or better Inter’s result on the final matchday, meaning a win over Barcelona would see Spurs through. Inter will face PSV in their group finale and must better Tottenham’s result against Barca.
In Group D, Porto have won the group and Schalke have finished as runner up.
In Group E, Bayern need just a draw against Ajax on the final day to top the group while the Dutch side can take top spot with a win over the Germans in Amsterdam. Both teams are qualified for the last 16.
In Group F, Manchester City are through to the last 16 and need a point in their group finale to top the group. Lyon need a point from their final match away to Shakhtar Donetsk to secure a spot in the knockout round, while the Ukrainian side need a win over the French outfit to progress. Lyon can top the group with a victory and a Man City loss to Hoffenheim.
In Group G, Real Madrid have won the group and Roma are through to the last 16 as well.
In Group H, Juventus have made it to the round of 16 and will top the group with a point against Young Boys. Manchester United are also through to the knockout rounds but will need to beat Valencia and have Juve drop points against Young Boys on the final matchday to top the group.
