Summary

  • Depleted Liverpool beat Ajax to qualify

  • Man City held by Porto but top group

  • Poll finds fans divided on stadium return

  • Are you going to a game?

  • Let us know via #bbcfootball

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    As always, you can have YOUR say on fans' return to the stands tonight.

    Are you going to one of the EFL games? Is its fair for all teams?

    Get Involved by Tweeting #bbcfootball or by text to 81111 (UK only).

    We'll be sharing your best comments throughout the morning!

  2. Light at the end of the tunnel..?published at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Fans returning to football

    Now then, some good news to bring you...

    After 266 long days, the return of fans to English league football is finally here.

    But as clubs in certain areas of England prepare to open their turnstiles for the first time in almost nine months, a BBC Sport poll suggests fans are divided over whether they should be allowed to return before a Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out.

    More to follow...

    Football on Fans
  3. All to play for...published at 08:47 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Real Madrid

    So what does last night's results mean for Group B?

    Well all four sides still able to qualify in next week's final round of matches.

    Real must beat leaders Borussia Monchengladbach to guarantee progress.

    Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Inter Milan beat Monchengladbach 3-2 later on Tuesday to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

    Group B
  4. 'I am not going to resign'published at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Real Madrid

    Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said he is "not going to resign" after defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk.

    "I am not going to resign, not at all," said Zidane following the 2-0 loss.

    "We are always going to have difficult moments, and we are on a bad run, but we need to keep going," added the Frenchman, whose side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Alaves in La Liga on Saturday.

    "I have the strength needed to turn the situation around and I am going to give everything to do that. So are the players.

    "We played well and we deserved more. We just need to lift our heads up and think about the next game."

    Zinedine ZidaneImage source, Getty Images
  5. Real beaten by Shakhtar... AGAIN!published at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Real Madrid

    Just what is going on at Real Madrid?

    The 13-time European champions are third in Group B after a 2-0 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk last night.

    It was Real's second defeat by Shakhtar in this season's competition, the Ukrainian side winning the reverse fixture 3-2 in Madrid.

    Read more here.

    ShakhtarImage source, Getty Images
  6. ICYMI - Football Daily podcastpublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Liverpool 1-0 Ajax

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    In case you missed it - you can also listen back to all of last night's Champions League reaction on the Football Daily podcast.

    Mark Chapman hosts the show and you can listen in here.

  7. 'We came here to finish first'published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Porto 0-0 Man City

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola offered "big congratulations" to his side after playing "exceptionally well" to seal top spot.

    "We came here to finish first," said Guardiola.

    "We played with huge personality, with courage. It is not easy with eight players in the box - even with that, we created enough chances to win. This is the most important thing.

    "In all the games away we have played a really high level. In general, I am more than delighted with the performance in these games.

    "We have one left, nothing to play for, just to maintain the rhythm. Now it is time to forget Champions League and focus on the Premier League."

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images
  8. City top Group Cpublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Porto 0-0 Man City

    It was good news for Manchester City last night as well, after they picked up a valuable point in Porto.

    City had already qualified for the knockout stages but the goalless draw in Portugal ensured they would finish top of Group C.

    You can read more here.

    Raheem SterlingImage source, Reuters
  9. Top of the treepublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Liverpool 1-0 Ajax

    So what does that win mean for Group D?

    Liverpool are four points clear of second-place Atalanta and they will go through to the last 16 as group winners.

    The battle for second is still up for grabs, however, as Ajax host Atalanta in the final group game.

    The Italian side will progress with a draw, while Ajax can go through with a win.

    Group D
  10. 'Most exceptional'published at 07:56 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Liverpool 1-0 Ajax

    Liverpool have won Europe's biggest prize under Jurgen Klopp, but the Reds' manager said victory over Ajax felt like "one of the biggest Champions League nights" since his arrival in 2015.

    The Reds were missing several key players through injury, Brazil keeper Alisson the latest to join the casualty list with a hamstring problem.

    "With the circumstances, there hasn't been much to smile about," Klopp said.

    "Without supporters in, it was the most important [win], most difficult, most exceptional," added Klopp, who steered Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2018-19.

    Read more here.

    Jurgen KloppImage source, Getty Images
  11. Liverpool march throughpublished at 07:48 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Liverpool 1-0 Ajax

    Curtis Jones has featured heavily on the back pages this morning, so that's where we will start.

    The Liverpool academy graduate scored his first Champions League goal after a horrific goalkeeping mistake as Liverpool beat Ajax to win Group D.

    The Reds have joined Chelsea and Manchester City in the last 16.

    Read more here.

    Curtis JonesImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'Sweet 16'published at 07:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Daily Express

    Express back pageImage source, Express
  13. 'Quick-witted Jones keeps Liverpool on track'published at 07:31 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Guardian

    Guardian back pageImage source, Guardian
  14. 'Jones puts Liverpool through'published at 07:23 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Times

    Times back pageImage source, Times
  15. 'Wonderboys'published at 07:15 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Wednesday's back pages

    Daily Mirror

    Mirror back pageImage source, Mirror
  16. Paper talkpublished at 07:09 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    Wednesday's back pages

    But first, let's have a look at some of the back pages you will be waking up to this morning...

  17. Good morning!published at 07:01 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2020

    It's been a long wait, but tonight will see fans return to EFL games for the first time since March!

    We'll have more on that, as well as looking back on last night's Champions League action.

    Stay tuned for more...