The UEFA Europa League draw for the last 16 has been officially announced, revealing the fate of English Premier League clubs Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham.
The first legs of these ties are scheduled for 7 March, with the second legs to be played a week later on 14 March.
This competition is growing in prestige every year and all 16 games left in the draw will be desperate to be crowned European champions in a few months.
Liverpool draw Czech champions Sparta Prague
Liverpool sealed their place in the last 16 with a game to spare back in November. By topping their group, they successfully avoided February's play-off round. The Reds have an impressive history in this competition having won it three times and finished as runners-up in 2016.
Liverpool are still contesting four trophies this season and will face Chelsea in the upcoming Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
In their only previous meeting with Sparta Prague during the last 32 of the 2010-11 Europa League, Liverpool progressed by winning 1-0 on aggregate after Dirk Kuyt scored late into the second leg.
West Ham to play Freiburg for a third and fourth time this season
West Ham also qualified for this stage during the penultimate round of group fixtures. They were crowned winners of last season’s Europa Conference League after reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League back in 2022. They continue to build a modern-day European pedigree.
In this season’s competition, they have already claimed victory twice against German club Freiburg - once at home (2-0) and once away (2-1). These victories came against their Group A opponents which further solidified their strong position going into these matches. The London club will be heavy favourites in March.
History-making Brighton face a tough test against Roma
Brighton are making history by playing European football for the first time. They secured progression as group winners after defeating Marseille in their final group game.
Under Roberto de Zerbi's leadership, Brighton will face off against Roma - who finished as runners-up in this competition last season and currently sit in sixth place in the Serie A standings.
Roma recently overcame Feyenoord via a penalty shootout on Thursday in the Europa League last 16 play-off knockout round to qualify for this tie. That victory will surely boost their confidence going into these matches against Brighton.
Official Europa League last-16 Draw
- Sparta Prague v Liverpool
- Marseille v Villarreal
- Roma v Brighton
- Benfica v Rangers
- Freiburg v West Ham
- Sporting Lisbon v Atalanta
- AC Milan v Slavia Prague
- Qarabag v Bayer Leverkusen
On top of the three English top-flight clubs in the last 16, current Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers are also in the draw. They face a very tough test indeed as they face Portuguese giants Benfica.
This season's UEFA Europa League is shaping up to be an exciting one for Premier League fans with Liverpool, West Ham and Brighton all through to the knockout stages.
Current Premier League leaders Liverpool remain the favourites to lift the trophy, but West Ham have proven their pedigree in European competition of late and Brighton are a wildcard which no team wants to face right now.
