An incredible Barcelona comeback denied Liverpool securing top spot in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

As the action ticked towards a conclusion at Anfield, Liverpool’s comfortable 2-1 victory over Lille looked to have wrapped up first place with a game to spare. Barcelona, meanwhile, trailed 4-2 heading into the final 15 minutes against Benfica, but a remarkable turnaround saw Barca come away from Lisbon with the win.

It leaves the Catalan club on 18 points after seven of the eight Champions League matches, three behind first-place Liverpool. Barcelona is the only side that could catch and overhaul the Reds, who are on 21 points after winning all seven matches.

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Three sides - Arsenal, Inter Milan and Brest - sit on 13 points and have two games to play, but the maximum they can amass is 19 points.

While that was a slight disappointment, it was a positive night on Merseyside as Liverpool guaranteed a place in the last-16 stage of the competition. The Reds knew prior to the game it would only take a point against Lille to secure a top-eight finish and bypass the knockout stage.

But grabbing the win was a huge boost for Liverpool and Arne Slot, who will head back to the Netherlands next week knowing he can rest and rotate his squad. The Champions League’s top side faces PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday in the final round of matches.

The Dutch side beat Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday, a result which should all but guarantee its place in the play-off round.

Liverpool’s top-eight spot means it will head straight to the last 16 of the Champions League, with a favorable tie at that stage given the Reds will definitely finish first or second.

A 2-1 win over Lille was achieved thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott. The former reached another milestone as he netted his 50th European goal for the club.

The Champions league last-16, both ties will be played on 4/5 & 11/12 March while the play-offs will be staged on 11/12 & 18/19 February.

Liverpool’s Champions League success continues what has been a remarkable start to Slot’s time on Merseyside, with Liverpool also sitting top of the Premier League by six points (with a game in hand) plus the side is still competing in two cup competitions.