Liverpool, Arsenal and Celtic face the toughest ties of the British teams when the draw for the Champions League Last-16 knockout stage is held today at noon.

As group runners-up, the trio will be pitted against winners from other pools in the draw at the UEFA offices in Nyon.

Manchester United and Chelsea topped their groups and should have an easier path to the last eight - and they will also play the second leg at home.

Clubs from the same country or pool and group winners will not play each other.

Last year's beaten finalists Liverpool could face a rematch with defending champions and Group D winners Milan, who they famously beat in the 2005 final before the Italian side got their revenge last season.

The Reds could also get Italian heavyweights Inter, Barcelona, who Liverpool beat in the first knockout round last year, or fellow Spaniards Sevilla.

Arsenal's prospective opponents also include Barcelona, who beat them in the 2006 final, as well as last year's knock-out victims Real Madrid, Milan, Porto or Inter.

"We are prepared for any team that we come up against," defender Kolo Toure told the Arsenal website.

"There is no team that will think they can beat us and it will be easy.

"This stage of the Champions League is always tight because we play away and home but whatever happens we are really confident."

Manchester United's opponents will also be drawn from Schalke, Olympiakos, Lyon or Fenerbahce, while Chelsea could also meet Roma, Olympiakos, Lyon or Fenerbahce.

Celtic could be handed a clash with Group F winners United, while they could also play Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter, Sevilla, Barcelona or Porto.

The first knockout round ties will take place on February 19 and 20, with the return legs on March 4 and 5.