Slot made his decision safe in the knowledge that the Reds are guaranteed to finish either first or second in the new expanded Champions League, and in sporting terms at least, those positions essentially mean the same thing.

So here's what we know ahead of kick-off.



Where will Liverpool finish in the Champions League table.

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The Reds are guaranteed to come first or second in the 36-team league phase whatever happens in Eindhoven(

Each position in the table is worth circa £230,000, with the team that finishes top earning about £8.3m, plus a £1.6m bonus for a top eight spot.

The teams first and second in the table will be put on opposite sides of the bracket for the knockout phase of the competition, meaning they can't face each other for the rest of the tournament until the final.

Who will Liverpool play in the round of 16.

The key positions to look out for here are the teams who finish 15th through to 18th in the league phase.

That is still a long way away of course, but the teams who finish first and second in the league phase (Liverpool plus one other) will be placed into the same quarter of the draw as the sides who finish seventh and eighth in the league phase, earning their last-16 spot.

The teams who finish seventh and eighth will take on the winners of the playoffs between the teams ninth and 10th and 23rd and 24th in the league phase