Arne Slot delighted to ‘skip a round’ as Liverpool seal Champions League top-two spot

The Reds will still need a point to guarantee first place in the league phase of the Champions League after Barcelona’s dramatic win.

Arne Slot’s side secured qualification but Barcelona remain in the frame for top spot. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was not too downbeat at not locking down top spot in the Champions League with a match to spare as his priority was to secure direct passage to the last 16.

The 2-1 win over Lille, extending their 100% record to seven matches, looked like giving them an unassailable lead at the top of the table to render next week's trip to PSV Eindhoven academic.