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

Aston Villa’s hopes of automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 took a blow after a 1-0 loss to Monaco on Tuesday, while Atalanta won big to keep up its strong campaign.

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Liverpool have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and will likely finish top of the pile. The Reds beat Lille 2-1 at Anfield to remain in pole position as the expanded group stages draw to a close. However, Barcelona beating Benfica 5-4 meant they have not officially sealed top spot yet.

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.

Ruben Amorim hasn’t pulled up any trees so far as Manchester United manager, but Glenn Hoddle is convinced that the 39-year-old would be a success if he were in the Liverpool dugout. The Portuguese left Sporting Lisbon in November to take the job at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal,

Liverpool beat Lille 2-1 on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in this season's Champions League and clinch qualification for the last 16, while Barcelona produced a stunning comeback to beat Benfica 5-4 in a classic to secure their own place.

Liverpool beat Lille, 2-1, on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in this season's Champions League and clinch qualification for the last 16, while Barcelona produced a stunning comeback to beat Benfica,

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 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.

It’s back to European football this week, and battle to make the last 16 is heating up. Elsewhere, Ichiro Suzuki enters baseball hall of fame.

Liverpool secures Champions League last 16 spot, Barcelona stuns Benfica, and Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa face setbacks.