There are different ways of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. OK, to be more precise, there is only one way – by finishing either first or second in your four-team group after every team has played six matches. But the manner in which you can reach one of those two slots can vary. In Group B you’ve got two wildly opposite examples. There’s Liverpool, the team that secured the top spot with ease, having notched five wins in as many matches. That’s how you’d ideally go about qualifying. And then you’ve got Milan, Atletico Madrid and Porto. After five matchdays, either of those three clubs could join the Reds in the last 16 of the competition. But who?Salah: ‘I would like to stay at Liverpool, but…’Atletico and Milan both trail second-placed Porto by a point. Milan host Liverpool and are above Atletico on goal difference. Should both Atletico and Milan win their games it will come down to goal difference as they are tied on their head-to-head record. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp already said that he won’t field his strongest team because he has to plan ahead of a busy festive programme that’s approaching in England. After his team has played five matches in 15 days, it would be foolish to risk injuries to his best players.”We have to rotate, we will rotate. We have to rotate. The medical department would smash me if I played the same side again, so I will make changes. If you have fresh legs you can have higher energy levels and if you have that you have a chance to have a good game, that’s exactly the idea behind it.”🚨 NEW: Liverpool are expected to field a much-changed side on Tuesday when they take on AC Milan, with the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Neco Williams and teenage midfielder Tyler Morton among those vying for a start. #awlive [liverpool echo] pic.twitter.com/KabDCtlQGp— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) December 6, 2021 The game at San Siro is going to be a must-win for Milan, regardless of Liverpool’s starting eleven. Should Rossoneri succeed, it would be the club’s first win over an English club in nearly a decade. While thoughts of many fans will be of these two teams’ most memorable encounter, the one in 2005 in Istanbul. That night, Milan races into a 3-0 lead only to throw it away and eventually lose on penalties. The Italian giants got their revenge two years later – also in the Champions League final, but that 2005 final remains one of the most iconic. A battle to fight till the last drop of sweat ⚔️ Because we are #BackHome and that’s where we want to stay! #MilanLiverpool: we are ready, are you? 🔴⚫ #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/bFweuLvj6O— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 5, 2021 Milan have had a tough decade, far away from Europe’s top-class football. In the meantime, Liverpool have won the Champions League as well as the long-elusive Premier League crown. Milan are desperate to get back among the continental elite. A win against a weakened Reds side is a must.Some 1,500 kilometres west of Milan, Porto will host Atletico Madrid, a team that suffered an embarrassing defeat against Real Mallorca last weekend. A win for the Portuguese Dragons would mean qualification regardless of what happens in Italy. But unlike Liverpool, their opponents from Spain won’t arrive with a weakened, relaxed side – they are after qualifications as well.So, three teams and just one place in the knockout stages left. Get your popcorn ready!UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEGroup B – Matchday 6Tuesday23.00: (2.05) Milan (3.60) Liverpool (3.80)23.00: (2.95) Porto (3.10) Atl.Madrid (2.75)***odds are subject to change
