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What do Liverpool, PSG & Napoli need to qualify for knockouts in Group of death?

  /  autty

The Reds' loss to Red Star blew the Group C standings wide open, with only two points separating the four teams with two rounds of matches to go

Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli are taking the race for qualification from Group C in the Champions League down to the wire with numerous permutations possible ahead of the final two rounds of matches.

Only two points currently separating the aforementioned trio and Red Star Belgrade, all four sides will be hopeful of securing passage to the knock-out stage.

The Reds face a tough trip away to PSG on Wednesday, with their shock loss to Red Star leaving them at risk of missing out on a spot in the last-16.

Destiny remains in their own hands, however, though Napoli and PSG could still swing the results in their favour – and there remains an outside chance for Red Star to qualify.

So what results do the individual teams need in order to progress to the next stage? Goal takes a look.

What are the current standings of Group C of the Champions League?

As it stands going into matchday five, Napoli sit at the top of Group C based on UEFA's head-to-head tie-breaker, courtesy of their win over Liverpool earlier in the competition

Though Jurgen Klopp's side have won more games and possess a better goal difference than Napoli, the Italian side's 1-0 success on home turf in early October gives them the edge.

Group C is just one of many in which no sides has gurenteed themselves a place in the next round or even in the Europa League round-of-32.

Red Star, pegged as the weakest team in the group on paper at the beginning of the competition, sit in last place but are only one point adrift of PSG – who have one just one game and lost one.

Napoli, Liverpool and PSG could all have a chance of progressing to the last-16 this week, though Red Star must likely wait for matchday six for their fate to be decided.

Indeed, it is likely that all four sides will have to wait until the final matchweek for the outcome of the group to be confirmed.

Remaining Champions League Group C fixtures

What results do Liverpool need to qualify from their Champions League group?

Liverpool will be assured of their place in the last 16 round should they beat PSG away in Paris on Wednesday. If they are to draw at the Parc de Princes, they would need to equal or better the Ligue 1 leaders' result in the final round of matches.

Should the Reds lose in Paris, Liverpool can still qualify for the knockout round if they beat Napoli by two clear goals in their final group stage fixture on December 11 – regardless of other results.

A draw against PSG paired with a victory against Napoli would guarantee progression. Furthermore, two draws for Liverpool would see the Reds go through if the French outfit fail to beat Red Star.

Should Liverpool draw at PSG, but then lost at home to Napoli then their progress will be out of their hands. They would need Red Star to fail to win either of their remaining games, and for their final match against Thomas Tuchel's side to end in a stalemate.

What results do PSG need to qualify from their Champions League group?

PSG will be eliminated from the Champions League should they lose at home against Liverpool and Napoli win against Red Star.

However, they can keep their hopes of qualifying for the next round alive when they head into the final Group C fixture in the event that they draw or win against Liverpool.

As Liverpool face Napoli at home in their final game, PSG will have their fate in their own hands as long as they avoid defeat this week.

In the event that PSG claim victory over Liverpool and Napoli win against Red Star on Wednesday, the French side will leapfrog Liverpool in the table – and could advance to the last-16 even with a loss against Red Star in their final game should Klopp's side fail to beat Napoli.

What results do Napoli need to qualify from their Champions League group?

As things stand, Napoli care currently favourites to progress. A home win against Red Star would guarantee them qualification should Liverpool claim victory in Paris.

Napoli can also qualify from their group if they win against Liverpool and Red Star and PSG are unable to beat the Reds.

The Italian side can afford a loss to Red Star if Liverpool and PSG draw, which will take the race to the final matchday.

Do Red Star still have a change of qualifying from their Champions League group?

Red Star's shock 2-0 win against Liverpool blew the Group C standings wide open, but they remain an outsider to finish in the top two.

They will be unable to qualify if they lose to Napoli on Wednesday but victory woudl thrust them into a strong position. They would still need something against PSG on the final matchday, but would give themselves a strong chance of at least a Europa League spot.

What are other permutations for top teams in the Champions League?

In Group A, Borussia Dortmund will advance to the last 16 with a draw against Club Brugge, and will finish first if they win and Atletico Madrid lose. Atletico will progress if they win against Monaco, though Club Brugge must win against BVB if they want to remain in the running for a top-two finish.

In Group B, Barcelona are the only team to have qualified to the knockout stage, and will secure first place with a win, or a draw against PSV if Inter fail to beat Spurs. Inter will progress to the next phase with a draw against Tottenham, meaning Spurs must win against the Italian side to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

In Group G, Roma will qualify with a draw if CSKA Moscow fail to win against Viktoria Plzen, while Real Madrid will qualify as group winners with victory in the Italian capital. They will also progress should CSKA fail to win, and the Russian side must win against Plzen if they want to contend for a top-two finish.

In Group H, Juventus will make it to the next round with a draw against Valencia or if Manchester United are beaten by Young Boys. United will only qualify if they win and Valencia fail to win against Juventus, and Young Boys must win their remaining games if they want any chance of a third-place spot.