Europa League draw LIVE: Liverpool and West Ham learn quarter-final fate
Liverpool have drawn Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals while West Ham face Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool will face Italian opposition in the Europa League quarter-finals in the form of Atalanta, while fellow Premier League side West Ham will take on one of the toughest teams remaining in the competition – Bayer Leverkusen – after the draw took place at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon this afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are the slight favourites to win the tournament after thrashing Sparta Prague 11-2 in the last 16 and will play Atalanta in the quarter-finals with the first leg at Anfield, while West Ham overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to down Freiburg this week but now face another German side, with the mammoth task of Xabi Alonso’s all-conquering Leverkusen in front of them.
The first quarter-final drawn out was a tasty all-Italian clash between AC Milan and Roma, where the sides will renew a rivalry that has seen them both climb into Serie A’s top five this season, while Benfica of Portugal and French side Marseille will also do battle for a spot in the semi-finals.
If Liverpool were to beat Atalanta, they would take on the winner of Benfica-Marseille for a place in the final, while the Hammers’ reward for upsetting the odds against a Leverkusen side that haven’t lost a single game this season would be a semi-final against AC Milan or Roma.
Follow live updates from the Europa League draw below.
Manchester City take on Real Madrid in quarter-finals
The other big draw is the prospect of Real Madrid taking on Manchester City, in a clash worthy of the Champions League final.
Pep Guardiola’s side are the reigning champions, Carlo Ancelotti’s club are the most successful ever in European competition. Bellingham v Rodri, Vinicius v Walker, Kroos v De Bruyne... yes please.
Harry Kane returns to north London to face Arsenal
Harry Kane’s return to north London to take on Arsenal is undoubtedly one of the headlines of the quarter-final draw. He has been magnificent since joining Bayern Munich in the summer, with a ridiculous 36 goals in 34 games, not to mention a bunch of assists too.
But Bayern have been stuttering – the Bundesliga title is almost over with Bayer Leverkusen way out in front, and manager Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season. Tuchel has the experience of winning this competition before, but Arsenal will certainly fancy their chances against Bayern over two legs. It’s a mouthwatering prospect.
Champions League quarter-final dates
The round dates for the fixtures are as follows:
Quarter-finals: 9/10 and 16/17 April 2024
Semi-finals: 30 April/1 May and 7/8 May 2024
Final: 1 June 2024
Wembley Stadium will host the Champions League final in 2024 for a record eighth time (including European Cup finals). The home of English football was last utilised for the showpiece decider in 2013, when Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund in an all-German final.
Champions League semi-final draw
Arsenal will take on Manchester City in the semi-finals, should they both win their quarter-final ties. You’d have to say that is the much stronger half of the draw, and it has opened up a little for the other four clubs.
Arsenal or Bayern Munich v Real Madrid or Manchester City
Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund v PSG or Barcelona
Full Champions League quarter-final draw
I think that might just be the perfect draw. Well balanced, with plenty of ‘narrative’ to get stuck into. Some amazing games to look forward to.
- Arsenal v Bayern Munich
- Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid v Manchester City
- PSG v Barcelona
Champions League quarter-final draw
PSG v Barcelona.
Some history there, of course.
Champions League quarter-final draw
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Wow.
Champions League quarter-final draw
Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
Well those two are together, and that means we are in for some heavyweight clashes...
Champions League quarter-final draw
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Ooof, what a tie. Harry Kane returns to north London!
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