Liverpool signed with Nike from the start of the 2020/2021 season after winning their first Premier League title, ditching New Balance for a £30million annual deal with the American company.

The Champions League and Europa League reform drew criticism because it added to an already packed calendar, yet the European competitions' league phase finale is set to be a memorable blockbuster next week.

Mohamed Salah scored early and Harvey Elliott scored late, and that was all Liverpool needed to beat Lille at Anfield on Tuesday and move to 7-for-7 perfect in the newly formatted UEFA Champions League group stage.

It will be an unprecedented Champions League's Matchday 8 as all the teams will be playing at the same time on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City need to win in their last tie of the league phase to avoid the elimination from the tournament,

Which teams are in the hunt for automatic qualification for the last 16? Who's on the brink of elimination? What about the playoffs?

Liverpool are through to the Champions League knockout stages, but two players are now just one booking away from a one-match suspension after the win over Lille

In addition to the €18.5 million earned for making the final, the Champions League winners take home an additional €6.8 million

Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday, while Barcelona fought back from two goals down to stun Benfica 5-4 in a thriller.

UEFA Champions League standings after Wednesday's penultimate round of group matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

The UEFA Champions League returns Jan. 21 after a break that lasted over a month. Barcelona and Liverpool headline Tuesday's action.

A bold new vision for the Champions League was launched this season, meaning more games and more money for European soccer's elite, as well as a rebuttal to the threat of a controversial breakaway super league.

RB Leipzig is still winless in the competition and sits at 0-0-6 with no chance of advancing. Sporting CP has lost two straight in Champions League play and dropped to the unseeded section of those who will advance to the knockout phase. When: Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 12:45 p.m. EST