Liverpool could meet Jose Mourinho again as Europa League path becomes clearer

The Europa League group-stages are complete, and Liverpool, having clinched top spot in Group E, can put their feet up until the round-of-16 next March.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will find out who they will face next in the competition on February 23, with the round-of-16 taking place on Thursday 7 March and Thursday 14 March. But before then, the Europa League knockout round play-offs has to take place to decide who will join them in the final 16.

The knockout round play-offs draw takes place on Monday, where the eight Europa League group runners-up will be drawn against the eight sides who finished third in their respective Champions League groups. The winners will then progress to the round-of-16, and be the unseeded sides who Liverpool and the rest of the seeded group victors could face next.

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With West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion both topping their respective Europa League groups, and no English teams dropping down from the Champions League, the Reds can face any of the 16 sides taking part in the knockout round play-offs. This includes Toulouse, who finished as runners-up behind Liverpool in Group E.

As a seeded side when it comes to the round-of-16, the Reds will be at home in the second leg on Thursday 14 March. And with the draw for the knockout round play-offs taking place on Monday 18 December, these are the teams in the hat who Klopp’s side could find themselves drawn against in the New Year.

Knockout round play-offs seeded teams

SC Freiburg

Marseille

Sparta Prague

Sporting Lisbon

Toulouse

Rennes

Roma

Qarabag

Knockout round play-offs