UEFA discussed plan to let Man City, Liverpool and other clubs choose their Champions League opponents

UEFA reportedly discussed a plan which would have potentially seen Manchester City, Liverpool or other clubs be allowed to choose their opponents in the knockout stages of the new Champions League format.

The new format debuts next season, and will see 36 teams - increased from 32 - battle it out as part of one group stage.

Each team will take part in eight matches - up from six matches - in the group stage, with the top eight teams automatically qualifying for the last 16 stage.

The other eight places will be determined by a series of play-off matches, which will take place between the teams that finish between ninth and 24th in the group stage table.

The new format was initially met with a mixed reception, due to the increase in games and the removal of the popular traditional group stage. However, fans are waiting in anticipation to see whether it will actually improve or decrease the standard of the Champions League.

The knockout stage draw will be conducted using a tennis-style seeding system, reports The Independent's Miguel Delaney, where top-ranked teams are positioned in certain parts of the draw to avoid playing each other.

It is claimed, however, that a number of other possibilities were discussed - including a US-style draft system.

Essentially, the idea would have involved the top-ranked teams choosing their preferred opponents - like player drafts in major US sports where the better sides are rewarded based on their performance when it comes to selections.

UEFA ultimately didn't follow through with the idea, and the seeding system is set to be in place when the new Champions League format gets underway next season.

No teams have yet qualified for the tournament proper, although we will start to get a better picture of which teams will be involved as the current season comes to a close.

Meanwhile, two of the four extra places will be assigned to teams based on nation co-efficient performances - the collective performance of all of a nation's teams competing in this season's European competitions.

Italy and Germany currently lead that ranking, with England and Spain behind them in third and fourth.