As they surpassed the defensive efforts of any of their European Cup-winning teams, they booked a place in the last 16 of the new-look Champions League. It took an improbable comeback by Barcelona against Benfica to mean they still need another point to become the inaugural winners of the 36-team group stage.

Liverpool may have serenely made their way to the Champions League knockout stages but behind them very little has been decided ahead of next week's final round of matches. The Reds secured their place in the top eight and direct progress to the last 16 in March with a 2-1 home victory over Lille on Tuesday night.

Shakhtar Donetsk has stayed in contention to advance in the Champions League with the help of Heorhiy Sudakov's Panenka-style penalty kick in a 2-0 win against upstart Brest.

Barcelona’s spectacular fightback against Benfica meant Liverpool would have to wait another week to be confirmed winner of the league phase of the new look Champions League.

Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday, while Barcelona fought back from two goals down to stun Benfica 5-4 in a thriller.

Liverpool have won all six of their League Phase games so far, sitting pretty at the top of the table. To confirm their spot in the top eight of the table, which guarantees a spot in the last 16 without going through the playoff round, they need a point against French upstarts Lille on Tuesday.

Tim Spiers recaps the best talking points from Tuesday's Champions League action, as Liverpool and Barcelona secured spots in the last 16

Columbiana County Drug Task Force agents executed a narcotics search warrant at 868 Lisbon St. in East Liverpool early Tuesday morning. According to DTF Director Jesse Smith, a deputy with the county Sheriff’s Office,

Liverpool labelled ‘best team in the world’ after maintaining Champions League perfection - Liverpool 2-1 Lille: Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott scored either side of Jonathan David’s equaliser as Ai

A bold new vision for the Champions League was launched this season. It has involved more games and more money for European soccer’s elite in a rebuttal to the threat of a controversial breakaway super league.

Liverpool have been perfect in the UEFA Champions League this season. The table-toppers only need a point to confirm qualification against Lille.

The Premier League leaders, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, have won their six opening UCL games, taking them to the brink of qualification.