The UEFA Champions League round of 16, quarterfinal and semifinal draws took place on Friday as Europe's leading soccer competition takes its final form for this season. The top eight teams from the league phase led by Liverpool and Barcelona qualified automatically for the round of 16 while eight teams have emerged from the knockout round playoffs which are part of this year's new format.

The path to the Champions League final is now mapped out, and none of the heavyweights has an easy round-of-16 as they bid to be in Munich on May 31.

French champions. Liverpool were far and away the best team in the Champions League league phase and finished atop the standings with 21 out of 24 possible points. Their only defeat came against PSV Eindhoven on the final matchday when Arne Slot rested his best players.