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Liverpool leads the UEFA Champions League phase despite a loss, with standout performances from Dembélé and Lille.

Liverpool concluded the inaugural league phase of the revamped UEFA Champions League for the 2024-25 season at the top of the table, amassing 21 points despite a thrilling 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven. This defeat ended their impressive seven-game winning streak, marking the first time no team finished unbeaten in the league phase. Barcelona followed closely with 19 points and a +15 goal difference, while Arsenal and Inter Milan also secured 19 points, with goal differences of +13 and +10, respectively.

The final matchday showcased several standout performances, including Lille`s stunning 6-1 victory over Feyenoord, who set a record for the most own goals in a single Champions League season with four. Ousmane Dembélé shone for Paris Saint-Germain, netting his second professional hat-trick in a commanding 4-1 win against Stuttgart. Inter Milan continued their defensive prowess, achieving a clean sheet in a 3-0 triumph over Monaco, marking their sixth consecutive home clean sheet in the Champions League.

The league phase saw an increase in goals per game, rising to 3.27 from 3.09 in the previous season, with 23 matches won by a margin of four goals or more. Notably, Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona and Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund emerged as joint top scorers, each netting nine goals. Teams ranked 9th to 24th will now enter the knockout play-off round, with traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich facing a challenging path after finishing outside the top eight.

For more insights on the Champions League, visit Champions League and top scorers.

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