Share this @internewscast.com

With the Europa League knockout play-off round done and dusted, attention has turned to the last 16 draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham United are the three Premier League sides in the hat, though many have suggested the Reds’ priorities may lie elsewhere as they bid to win a second domestic title in four years.

Jurgen Klopp was keen to debunk that theory, shrugging: “Unfortunately, my career is not like this where I can choose, to be honest. I have to take what I get. When we play the competition it’s the most important competition on the planet. Easy as that.”

By that logic, Klopp will be a keen spectator when the Europa League’s round of 16 draw gets underway. Here’s everything you need to know.

FBL-EUR-C3-DRAW

UEFA vice secretary general Giorgio Marchetti is at the epicentre of all the European draws / FABRICE COFFRINI/GettyImages

UEFA have done their best to avoid complicating the draw – although, it would be far too straightforward to simply allow any names to be plucked out of the bowl at random.

The eight seeded teams won their Europa League group. These victors will be drawn against the clubs that emerge from the competition’s knockout round play-offs.

These two-legged ties taking place in the second half of February pit the runners-up from each Europa League group against the clubs that finished third in the Champions League equivalent.

One final caveat ensures that no two teams from the same association can be drawn against one another.

The draw for the round of 16 will take place after the conclusion of the knockout round play-offs. One day after the decisive second legs, the great and good of European football descends upon Nyon for the ceremony on Friday 23 February at 11:00 GMT.

The House of European Football, UEFA’s Swiss headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva, will stage the latest flurry of ball plucking.

As ever, UEFA will stream the spellbinding spectacle of an underemployed ex-footballer struggling to uncap the containers holding each club’s name on their official website.

UK viewers can also tune in on TNT Sports 2 which begins its broadcast at 11:00 GMT.

Jarell Quansah, Ben Doak

Liverpool’s name will be in Friday’s draw / BSR Agency/GettyImages

Qualified team

Nation

Method of qualification

West Ham

England

Group A winners

Brighton

England

Group B winner

Rangers

Scotland

Group C winner

Atalanta

Italy

Group D winner

Liverpool

England

Group E winner

Villarreal

Spain

Group F winner

Slavia Prague

Czech Republic

Group G winner

Bayer Leverkusen

Germany

Group H winner

Qarabag

Azerbaijan

Knockout play-off winner

AC Milan

Italy

Knockout play-off winner

Freiburg

Germany

Knockout play-off winner

Benfica

Portugal

Knockout play-off winner

Marseille

France

Knockout play-off winner

Roma

Italy

Knockout play-off winner

Sparta Prague

Czech Republic

Knockout play-off winner

Sporting CP

Portugal

Knockout play-off winner

The first legs of this year’s Europa League last-16 fixtures get underway on Thursday 7 March, affording club analysts less than two weeks to scout their imminent opponents. The final half of these ties take place just a week later, on Thursday 14 March.

This scheduling doesn’t do any favours for Liverpool in particular. The Reds host reigning Premier League champions Manchester City before travelling to Everton’s Goodison Park in a Merseyside derby on either side of their continental second leg. Klopp’s professed lack of competition preference will be put to the test during this sequence.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Inside the Unseen Struggles of WAGs: The Challenges of Life Amidst Player Transfers

In a swift and unexpected turn, Taylor Ward found herself distanced from…

Federico Chiesa’s Potential Liverpool Move, Man City Star Draws European Interest, and David Moyes’ Striker Target to Boost Everton: Latest Transfer Window Updates

With the transfer window wide open, football clubs are bustling with activity…

Inside Mateus Mane’s Rise: Wolves Wonderkid’s Unstoppable Journey, Winning Traits, and Why Rob Edwards Holds the Key to His Future

An official from a leading Premier League team, captivated by a young…

Barcelona Sets Record Straight on Marcus Rashford’s Future as Loan Expiry Approaches

Reports suggest that Barcelona is eager to secure a permanent deal for…

Real Madrid Stunned: Alvaro Arbeloa’s Copa del Rey Debut Ends in Defeat to Second-Tier Underdogs

Real Madrid faced a shocking exit from the Copa del Rey as…

West Ham Edges Out QPR in Extra Time: A Tense FA Cup Clash with Nuno Espirito Santo Facing Injury Setback

West Ham United finally found their footing, albeit not without a struggle,…

Unveiling the Epic Drama: Top Longest VAR Checks in English Football – Antoine Semenyo’s ‘Goal’ Isn’t Even the Longest!

Manchester City took a significant step towards the Carabao Cup final with…

Tiger Woods Celebrates 50th Birthday with Girlfriend Vanessa Trump and Bon Jovi Performance

Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer, celebrated his 50th birthday and 30 years…