The league phase has already been beneficial to plenty. Leaders Liverpool are almost assured of finishing at the summit, bringing in at least €9.9m in a ranking bonus, as well as their seven wins being worth an additional €14.7m. Not to be sneezed at when there is also the €18.6m equal share they have been allotted.

After a thrilling finish to the UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase, the competition will gear up to hold its inaugural knockout phase playoffs with Friday's draw. The teams that finished from ninth through 24th in the league phase will take part in the knockout phase playoffs,

The UEFA Champions League on Friday conducted the draw for the knockout stage, setting up the bracket for European soccer's biggest annual tournament. At the confederation's headquarters in Switzerland,