How many points Liverpool need to qualify for Champions League knockout stages after Inter win
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCVictory for Liverpool at the San Siro has put them in a better position to secure a Champions League top-eight finishLiverpools players celebrate after winning their Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro(Image: Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool narrowly overcame hosts Inter Milan as they secured an important 1-0 Champions League victory on the road. With two matches remaining in the current stage of the competition, they are still in with a chance of automatic knockout qualification.Whilst Inter were left angered at the decision to award the late penalty, Arne Slot and Co. were able to celebrate Dominik Szoboszlai's match-winning strike from 12 yards at the San Siro.
Importantly, it moved Liverpool onto a tally of 12 points from a possible 18 so far in the Champions League.The Reds travel to Marseille and play at home to Qarabag in their final two games - both in January 2026 - which will determine whether they do enough to deliver the top-eight finish required for automatic passage into the knockout stages.READ MORE: 'I apologise I've upset you' – Jamie Carragher tells Mohamed Salah what he must do nextREAD MORE: What Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Arne Slot said about Mohamed Salah 'apology' in MilanHow many points do Liverpool need for the top eight?This will only be fully determined once all eight rounds have been played. But, as accurate as any marker available, last season 16 points ended up being the requirement to automatically qualify for the knockouts.Champions League table top eight 2024/25Liverpool - 21 pointsBarcelona - 19 pointsArsenal - 19 pointsInter Milan - 21 pointsAtletico Madrid - 18 pointsBayer Leverkusen - 16 pointsLille - 16 pointsAston Villa - 16 pointsThe Reds therefore require just four more points - equivalent to one win and one draw - to equal last season's minimum.This season's top eight predictedThe Analyst at Opta has predicted how the final Champions League table will look once completed.
It predicts Liverpool to claim 16 points and finish in sixth position, with 15 points the lowest requirement.Arsenal - 22 pointsBayern Munich - 19 pointsPSG - 18 pointsReal Madrid - 17 pointsAtalanta - 16 pointsLiverpool - 16 pointsMan City - 16 pointsAtletico Madrid - 15 pointsWhat happens if Liverpool do not finish in the top eight?Finishing outside of the top eight - and anywhere between ninth and 24th place - would mean Liverpool require a two-legged play-off to reach the Champions League knockouts.That would mean two extra fixtures - one home and one away - for Slot's side in February, when their schedule is already demanding enough.That said, Paris Saint-Germain proved last season this outcome is not necessarily a barrier to success, as they stormed through the play-off round, eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16, and went on to win the entire tournament.For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.