Who Liverpool could face in Europa League round-of-16 as knockout stages pathway becomes clearer

Liverpool are through to the Europa League round-of-16 after their 4-0 victory over LASK Linz secured their place in the knock-out stages of the competition.

The hefty win also clinched the Reds’ place as Group E winners, with a game to spare, ensuring they bypass the knockout round play-offs which take place on Thursday 15 and 22 February 2024. Instead, the eight Europa League group runners-up will each lock horns with a third-placed team dropping out from the Champions League, with the winners of such ties then joining Jurgen Klopp’s men in the final 16.

As group winners, Liverpool know they will be seeded for the round-of-16 draw, which will take place on Friday 23 February. As a result, they know they will face one of the eight winners from the Europa League knockout round play-offs, and will play at Anfield in the second leg of such a tie.

The round-of-16 games will take place on Thursday 7 March and Thursday 14 March. But who could Klopp’s men face off against, and who will they avoid, when their Europa League knockout stages get underway in the New Year?

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Who will Liverpool avoid?

Liverpool are one of three sides to have won their Europa League group with a game to spare.

Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen have also guaranteed their places in the round-of-16, and, like the Reds, will be seeded sides as a result. Consequently, they can’t be drawn against Klopp’s men.

Meanwhile, teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other. As a result, should West Ham United or Brighton & Hove Albion, who can both still top their Europa League