After being dealt the Group of Death in the Champions League, Liverpool are just grateful to have progressed to the last-16.Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to finish as runners-up in Group C behind Paris Saint-Germain and ahead of Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.But the Reds made hard work of it after losing all three of their away matches, picking up nine points thanks to three home victories.Of course, finishing second meant that Liverpool had to face a group winner in the last-16.It was out of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Juventus.It ultimately turned out to be Bayern Munich in what will be two mouth-watering clashes.While Bayern may consider themselves unlucky to be drawn against the Premier League table toppers, the other clubs that finished top may well have breathed a huge sigh of relief.After all, Liverpool reached the final of the competition just last season.That certainly seems to be the case at Barcelona.That’s because even their manager admitted they were glad to avoid the Merseysiders."We are pleased with the Round of 16 draw. We wanted to avoid a rival like Liverpool, the current runners-up in Europe,” Ernesto Valverde admitted, per RAC1.Instead, Barca will face Lyon in the knockout stages and will surely be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals."Lyon will not be easy, as they have been able to compete for top-spot in the group stages at Manchester City,” Valverde added.

It's one thing hoping to avoid Liverpool but it's anything entirely to admit it. Either way, Liverpool fans enjoyed hearing that the Barca manager is seemingly running scared of them.


Following the draw, Manchester City remain favourites for the competition according to the bookmakers, while Barca are considered second favourites.

But after their tough draw, Liverpool are fifth favourites behind City, Barca, Juventus and PSG.