Liverpool sailed into the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League by hammering Marseille 4-0 in France.

The only bad news is that the Reds won't be a top seed in the draw for the final 16. By failing to win their group, Rafael Benitez and Co. assured themselves of an early showdown with an elite European club.

The Reds will be drawn against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Seville, AC Milan, or Inter Milan. As daunting as that list is, though, none of those foes would look forward to facing Liverpool.

Benitez's club produced three vintage performances in their final three group matches, scoring sixteen goals while allowing just one. It's a safe bet opponents around Europe have taken notice.

As it stands, Benitez seems to have found his strongest 11 for Champions League play.

In the center of the midfield, Steven Gerrard’s bursting runs and Javier Mascherano’s sweeping tackles have made for a winning formula. On the flanks, the creativity of Yossi Benayoun and trickery of Harry Kewell have proven too much for opposing defenders.

Up front, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt have shown the best chemistry, while Peter Crouch brings a new dimension to Liverpool’s play. Ryan Babel continues to impress off the bench, and Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger, and Jermaine Pennant will provide an added boost come February.

With so many weapons, the Reds have to be thinking they can beat anyone—and whoever they face in the next round will be wary, to say the least.

If Liverpool continue to improve, the identity of the opponent may well be purely academic.