The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and Opinions
Liverpool have been drawn against rivals Manchester United in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Jürgen Klopp’s side progressed to the next round following last night’s 1-0 win over German side Augsburg, whilst Louis van Gaal saw his Manchester United side beat FC Midtjylland 5-1 at Old Trafford, which included a brace from debutant Marcus Rashford, sending the Red Devils through after a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Liverpool will play the first leg at Anfield on Thursday 10 March, before the second leg at Old Trafford a week later.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “You can ask my staff but when they asked me yesterday who I wanted, I said ‘Man United’.
“I think we have to clear something. We had a good game when we lost 1-0 (in the Premier League in January) but it was not what we deserved.
“It gives us a chance to make it better and that is what we will try to do.”
Manchester United have never won the modern form ‘Europa League’, but Liverpool have won the former UEFA Cup three times in 1973, 1976 and 2001.
The two sides have never met in Europe, and it will be the first all English clash since Liverpool faced Tottenham Hotspur in 1973.
As for Spurs, they progressed to the last 16 after Mauricio Pochettino’s side won 3-0 at home against Fiorentina, winning 4-1 on aggregate. But the 1972 and 1984 UEFA Cup winners will face tough opposition in Borrusia Dortmund.
Gary Neville’s Valencia will face fellow La Liga side Athletic Bilbao, whilst Sevilla, who have won the competition for the past two seasons, will be looking to make it three in succession when they face Basel.
Incase you missed it, here is the draw in full:
Shakhtar Donetsk v Anderlecht
Basel v Sevilla
Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen
Athletic Bilbao v Valencia
Liverpool v Manchester United
Sparta Prague v Lazio
Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham
Fenerbahce v Braga
