Why Liverpool Couldn't Face Villarreal In Champions League Redraw

Fans thought there was another error made in the Champions League redraw, though the second ceremony was actually correct this time around.

In the initial draw made this morning in Nyon, Switzerland, as many as FOUR different mistakes were made and UEFA were forced to rearrange for 2pm due to a "technical problem" they claim was caused by software.

A slew of clubs complained and called for the draw to be redone, with that request swiftly granted.

And many were led to believe that there was another almighty gaffe as plenty couldn't understand why Liverpool were not allowed to play Villarreal as they weren't in the same group nor from the same country.

However, because of the order of the draw, Liverpool and Villarreal could not play each other in the end.

It was due to Inter Milan and Real Madrid competing in the same group, as well as Real not being able to play Villarreal courtesy of rules relating to teams from the same country.

For the same reason, Inter and Juventus could not face one another.

On BT Sport's coverage, former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen had wrongly suggested a THIRD draw could be on the way.

The ex-England man got his facts wrong however, and then came the explanation that set the record straight.

Real will likely be the club most furious with the second draw after they went from playing Benfica to Paris Saint-Germain.

Manchester United were drawn against Atletico Madrid, with Chelsea and Lille locking horns exactly like the original draw.

Manchester City will play Sporting CP, while Liverpool will face Inter.

Here is the draw in full:

Red Bull Salzburg vs Bayern Munich

Sporting vs Manchester City

Benfica vs Ajax

Chelsea vs Lille

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Villarreal vs Juventus

Inter Milan vs Liverpool

PSG vs Real Madrid

First leg ties will be played on 15 or 16 and 22 or 23 February, with the second lot of fixtures taking place on 8 or 9 and 15 or 16 March.

The away goal ruling has been scrapped, with ties going extra time if an outcome is not decided in 180 minutes.

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Champions League, Villarreal

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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