Hmm.. after yesterday's final group games, the eight 2nd place teams are:
Chelsea*
Arsenal*
Internazionale
Sporting Lisbon
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid
Villareal
Lyon
Liverpool cannot face Arsenal or Chelsea because of "country protection" - which ensures some diversity in representation until one gets to the round of eight - so they'll face one of the other six teams in a home and home series, winner take all. It's aggregate across both legs, with away goals counting more, so Liverpool has a slight edge because of the crowd at Anfield (though Real Madrid would probably argue that).
Real Madrid would definitely be the marquee matchup. Not, by any means, a sure thing, even with internal dissension and a new coach. On the other hand, the next round won't take place until March so there is little to speculate on now given everyone's form will be history by then.
We get to find out December 19th.
Posted by artandscience at December 11, 2008 02:55 PM