How successful have Liverpool been in reaching the Champions League knockout stages?

Liverpool secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with another brilliant result at Anfield following their 1-0 victory over Napoli in their final Group C match.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at how the Reds have fared on matchday six with their progression still hanging in the balance during the Champions League era.

2001 (group stage one)

Gerard Houllier’s side started top of their first group phase on nine points, one ahead of Boavista and Dortmund. Vladimir Smicer and Stephen Wright both scored as Liverpool beat the German side 2-0. SUCCESS.

2001-02 (group stage two)

There were two group phases before the knockout stages in the 2001-02 season and despite being bottom on four points in the second group, three behind leaders Roma and two behind Barcelona, Jari Litmanen’s penalty and Emile Heskey’s header was enough for a 2-0 win over the Italian outfit. SUCCESS.

2004-05

One of the most memorable nights at Anfield. Liverpool were third on seven points, three behind second-placed Olympiakos. Benitez’s side needed to win 1-0 or by two clear goals and after trailing 1-0 at half-time to Olympiakos, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Neil Mellor and Steven Gerrard’s last-gasp third earned a 3-1 triumph to progress. SUCCESS.

2007-08

Liverpool were third in the group on seven points, level with second-placed Marseille and needed to beat the French side away from home to advance. The Reds ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. SUCCESS.

2017-18

Last season, Jurgen Klopp’s team were top on nine points, one ahead of Sevilla. They had to draw to be certain of qualification, while a loss would have put them out but they eased past Spartak Moscow in a 7-0 win. SUCCESS.

2018-2019

Three away losses in the group stage for the first time ever put Liverpool in third on six points, three behind leaders Napoli and two adrift of Paris St Germain. They needed to beat the Italians 1-0 or by two clear goals, similarly to the Olympiakos match 14 years earlier, and Mohamed Salah’s goal proved to be the difference against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. SUCCESS.

2002-03

However, it has not always been plain sailing, in 2002, Liverpool were third on seven points, one behind second-placed Basel. They needed to beat their Swiss hosts to progress but were 3-0 down after 22 minutes and despite pulling it back to 3-3, they failed to get out the group. FAILURE.

2014-15

Basel were the side to deny the Reds once more. Liverpool were third on four points, two behind second-placed Swiss team. An Anfield win against them would have been enough, but Basel held onto a 1-1 draw. FAILURE.

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