Liverpool will return to the scene of one of their most historic nights in the Champions League Round of 16, the Estadio Metropolitano, having drawn Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in the first real test of their defence of the club's European crown.
Less than nine months after Jordan Henderson raised the trophy following Liverpool's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool will return to Spain's capital for the first leg of the tie.
Liverpool were always expected to qualify from Group E and ran out eventual winners, overcoming a disappointing opening night defeat away to Napoli to book their place in the knock out stages.
The Reds are also aiming to defend the estimated €110million (£92million) they banked from UEFA by winning the competition last season, part of a reported £250million in broadcasting income earned by Liverpool through European glory and an agonising domestic finish.
In fact, the format of UEFA's revenue distribution for the Champions League means that Liverpool may end up besting their prize fund.
Under the latest three-year broadcasting cycle, which kicked in last season, teams earn tens of millions by qualifying for the Group Stage (the starting fee), performance in the Group Stage and rounds reached thereafter (performance-related fixed amounts) and a Market Pool, which is partly based on the value of each TV market of Champions League teams.
However, UEFA from 2018/19 introduced a new method of payments - based on a team's co-efficient ranking.
This factors in a team's performance in UEFA competitions over the previous ten years, as well as bonus points thrown in for historic title wins.
A pot worth €585million is split into single shares of €1.108million and then handed out to the 32 teams that qualify for the Group Stage onwards.
Under this system of payment, the 32nd ranked team at the end of the competition earns one share, the 31st team earns two shares (€2.216million), the 30th team earns three shares (€3.324million) and so on.
After reaching two finals in the last two years - winning one - Liverpool have shot up UEFA's ten-year ranking table, currently sat in 14th place with 156 points.
Their overall position, while strengthened by European glory in 2019 and European finals in 2016 and 2018, is diminished by an absence from UEFA competitions all together in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2016/17.
However, another run in the tournament will see them earn even more points and help rectify these past failures.
What's more, teams currently sat above Liverpool due to years of consistent Champions League qualification - namely domestic rivals Manchester United and Arsenal - may begin to look over their shoulders as Liverpool bridge the gap.
UEFA have in the past published an exact breakdown of its prize distribution to clubs - usually in the October immediately after the final - but so far the document for the 2018/19 season is not available.
sanjoy2018
301
liverpool knows the business well like real madrid