Liverpool have been handed a fixture boost as Manchester City were drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Reds will enjoy a free week from competitive action after topping the new-look league phase.
However, for their Premier League rivals, they will be forced to endure a two-legged showdown with the reigning champions in early February
Former Reds midfielder Thiago was the special guest for the draw in Nyon after an exciting final matchday in the elite European competition
Thiago handed the Reds a potential advantage ahead of their showdown with Pep Guardiola's side next month.
City scraped into the next playoff round after overcoming Club Brugge on Wednesday,
City have secured a tie against Madrid. It will see the Etihad Stadium host the first-leg before facing off against Bellingham, Vinicius Jr at the Bernabeu between the 18th and 19th, four days before they welcome Liverpool
Liverpool's defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday had no detrimental effect on their qualification hopes
Barcelona could have leapfrogged the Reds into top spot, but they failed to overcome last season's Europa League winners, Atalanta, in a 2-2 draw.
Liverpool will learn their fate for the Round of 16 next month, but they will face the winner of Monaco or Benfica or the all-Ligue 1 clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Brest.
But Liverpool could be forced to play during the week of their clash with City after their trip to Villa Park has been handed a new provisional date
Should the Reds progress to the Carabao Cup final, their encounter with Aston Villa has been rescheduled for February 19.
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