Champions League draw as it happened: Liverpool and Manchester City to meet in quarter-finals

Morning all! What a day to be alive. The sun is shining, the weekend is upon us and, over the next hour or so, I'll be bringing you red-hot content as we cover today's Champions League quarter-final draw.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Roma are all awaiting their fate and their opponents for the last eight.

We will have all the latest news and reaction from Nyon (not Lyon, you read that right) so don't touch that dial...

Before we delve any further, here's a recap of all the Champions League action over the past two weeks (click on the links below for the relevant match reports):

• Sub-standard Manchester City suffer surprise Basel defeat but still reach Champions League quarter-finals
• Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain stun Tottenham to send Juventus into Champions League quarter-finals
• Manchester United’s Champions League campaign cut short in dramatic fashion by Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder (lol)
• Liverpool finish smooth passage past Porto but tougher Champions League challenges await
• Barcelona into the Champions League last eight after Lionel Messi's magic touch downs Chelsea

I appreciate there may not be many Chelsea fans reading this blog (for obvious reasons...) but I recommend this analysis of the Blues' current struggles after Wednesday's defeat in Barcelona. A top read from chief football writer Miguel Delaney. Enjoy:

Yeah, but can he do it on a cold night in Stoke?

Coming up: a team-by-team preview of the Champions League last eight, starting with none other than Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Liverpool

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W4 D4 L0 F28 A6
• 2017/18 Champions League top scorer: Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah (7)

Liverpool progressed to the quarter finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009 after demolishing Porto 5-0 in their last 16 clash. A first-leg Saido Mane hat-rick alongside goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah was enough to seal Liverpool’s progression in the competition, and there are no doubts Jurgen Klopp’s side have one of the most feared forward lines on the continent. 

Key player: Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s Egyptian talisman has been in sensational form throughout the current campaign, scoring 32 goals across all competitions, including seven in the Champions League. Salah has been Klopp’s most dependable player in the current campaign, scoring a huge number of goals as well as immeasurably important ones, too, and his contribution will yet again be crucial if Liverpool are to progress in the competition. 

Underrated: Andy Robertson 

Whilst Alberto Moreno has remained Klopp’s preference at left back in the Champions League, the fine league form of Andy Robertson, now a seemingly nailed down starter, could give the Liverpool manager a dilemma for the quarter finals. Robertson has excelled in the 2017/18 campaign, and with a reputation for high quality defensive traits coupled with pace and strong crossing ability on the counter, the Scotsman could well make his way into Liverpool’s defence for the remainder of their Champions League campaign. 

Manchester City 

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W6 D0 L2 F19 A7
• 2017/18 Champions League top scorer: Raheem Sterling, Sergio Agüero (4)

Despite a 2-1 loss at home in the second leg, Pep Guardiola’s side comfortably eased passed FC Basel and progressed to the Champions League quarter finals for just the second time in their history. With City six Premier League points away from wrapping up the title, Guardiola is not faced with huge selection dilemmas, and it can be expected the Citizens will go full throttle in the competition with a domestic and European treble well within their reach. 

Key player: Kevin De Bruyne

City’s Belgian maestro has been simply sensational in 2017/18, with many Premier League fans, players and pundits alike suggesting De Bruyne is deserving of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award. It is well documented how highly Guardiola rates his midfield magician, and there are no doubts that City’s progression in the Champions League will likely depend on the performance of KDB in their quarter final clash. 

Underrated: Fabian Delph

After news broke of a knee ligament injury to club-record signing Benjamin Mendy in September, the City hierarchy were understandably apprehensive as to who would replace him in the team. Step forward central midfielder Fabian Delph, a £9m signing from Aston Villa, who has been crafted into an extremely efficient wing-back, and someone who has played a key role in City’s Champions League campaign. 

Bayern Munich

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W7 D0 L1 F21 A7
• 2017/18 Champions League top scorer: Robert Lewandowski (5)

Bayern Munich made light work of last 16 opponents Beskitas, beating the Turkish side 8-1 over two legs. Jupp Heynckes’ side were exceptional in the group stage, winning five of their six group games, and after having won the Champions League in 2013 as well as reaching the semi-finals in three of the last four seasons, the Bavarian outfit will fancy their chances in the remainder of the competition. With the likes of top-scorer Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robbem in their ranks, Bayern have the ability to beat almost any team in Europe over 90 minutes, and no side in the last eight will hope to be drawn against them as they await the quarter final draw. 

Best Player: Robert Lewandowski 

As Bayern’s top-scorer in the 2017/18 Champions League, Lewandowski has been first class for Heynckes’ side, scoring a brace in their first leg clash against Beskitas. Surrounded by the likes of Argen Robben, when Lewandowksi is provided with service, he thrives, and his clinical finishing will be vital for Bayern’s Champions League aspirations. 

Underrated Player: Kingsley Coman

After moving around some of Europe’s leading clubs, including PSG and Juventus,  before his career had arguably even began, Coman has now settled at Bayern, and he is excelling for his club. With 32 appearances under his belt across all competitions as well as seven goals, the French forward is putting in some superb performances, though in a team where Lewandowski often takes the acclaim, Coman is earning his own too. 

Sevilla

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W3 D4 L1 F14 A13
• 2017/18 Champions League top scorer: Wissam Ben Yedder (8)

After defying the odds and knocking out Manchester United in the round of 16, Sevilla have progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1958, and amongst a star-studded final eight, it would be fair to say they remain the underdogs. High quality players in the form of Luis Muriel and Steven Nzonzi will give hope to this Sevilla side under Vincenzo Montella, and it remains to be seen if they are capable of knocking out yet another European heavyweight.

Best Player: Wissam Ben Yedder 

A memorable brace in the second leg of their clash against United was unquestionably a highlight for Ben Yedder, though the French forward has been in constantly strong form throughout the competition, with eight Champions League goals in 2017/18. Ben Yedder showed his ability against United at Old Trafford, and both he and his manager Montella will be hoping for more of the game in the quarter finals. 

Underrated Player: Ever Banega

After returning to the club following an strong sole season with Inter Milan, Banega has been in exceptional form for Sevilla, playing an integral role in their progress in the Champions League. Alongside Stephen Nzonzi, Banega is a crucial cog in their midfield, though he is not often a player to gain the praise he is perhaps deserving of. 

Real Madrid

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W6 D1 L1 F22 A9
• 2017/18 Champions League top-scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (12)

After brushing aside PSG 5-2 over two legs in the round of 16, Real Madrid comfortably progressed to the Champions League quarter finals for the eighth consecutive season. For Madrid, the presence of the competition’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo (12) will no doubt assist their quest to win a third successive Champions League title, though Zidane’s men are blessed with an abundance of attacking and defensive options of the highest calibre. They will fear no opposition in the quarter final draw, and arguably hold the title of favourites for the Champions League trophy. 

Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo 

Following on from a record-breaking group stage goal tally, Ronaldo has continued to shine for Madrid in the Champions League, playing a key role in the demolition of PSG in the round of 16. Often put on a pedestal alongside Messi with regards to the ‘best player in the world’ tag, Ronaldo has been in terrific form, and if Madrid are to progress in the competition, he will have to be at his best for Zidane’s side. 

Underrated Player: Casemiro*

The 20-cap Brazil international has been plying his trade at Madrid for three seasons, though the 2017/18 campaign has seen a series of world-class performances from Casemiro, including in the Champions League, that have had fellow players and pundits singing his praises. In a midfield with Luka Modric and Isco, it can be difficult to stand out, though Casemiro in the current campaign has excelled, and his contribution will be crucial in the remaining Champions League knock-out rounds for Zidane’s side.

*(we appreciate it's hard to have an underrated player in Real Madrid's team, so just roll with us)

Roma 

• 2017/18 Champions League record: P8 W4 D2 L2 F11 A8
• 2017/18 Champions League top scorer: Edin Džeko (4)

Despite losing the first leg 2-1 against Shakthar Donetsk, a crucial away goal from Cenzig Under coupled with Edin Dzeko’s strike in the second leg means Roma progress to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2008, when they lost to Manchester United. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side are on a strong run of form and will fancy their chances against any of the other seven remaining teams in the competition. 

Best Player: Stephan El Shaarawy 

El Shaarway has been in incredible form for Roma in the current campaign, and is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea. He holds the key to connecting Roma’s play in the attacking third as well as being a deadly finisher, and a stellar performance in the quarter finals will be vital if Roma are to progress.

Underrated Player: Alexander Kolarov

After transferring to Roma from Manchester City following a seven year spell at the club, Kolarov has shone for Di Francesco’s side, and similarly to his spell at City, he is remarkably efficient and extremely reliable in defence. Kolarov has Champions League experience from his time at City, and he will be hoping to transfer that into Roma’s pursuit of Champions League glory.