In the new league phase format, which was introduced last season, the top eight teams progress straight through to the last 16 and avoid a two-legged knockout play-off tie.
Ultimately, the shock 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven on matchday five resulted in Liverpool needing to finish the job against Qarabag on Wednesday to confirm successive top-eight finishes in Europe’s elite club competition.
And they did it in style, thumping the Azerbaijani side 6-0 in an Anfield rout.
Who will Liverpool face in Champions League last 16?
Liverpool’s progression straight through to the last 16 means they will not face fixture congestion in February.
The last-16 draw will take place on Friday, February 27. The first leg of those ties will be played on either March 10 or March 11, with the return fixtures a week later.
As a result of finishing third in the league phase, Liverpool will either face the winners of the knockout phase play-off between the 13th and 14th seeds, or the 19th and 20th seeds.
Those teams have now been confirmed following a dramatic finale to the league phase on Wednesday night.