Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping to finish the title with Europa League glory this season. It is the only trophy that has eluded Klopp so far, with Liverpool reaching the final in his first season in 2016.
At that time, Manchester United lost 1-3 to Sevilla, and since then they have featured frequently in Europe’s top competitions, reaching the Champions League final three times. However, Liverpool are favorites to win this season’s Europa League, and if Liverpool win, the final will be Klopp’s last game.Liverpool won four out of six games and topped the group with two wins over Toulouse and Union Saint-Giloise. But despite the play-offs starting this week, Klopp’s side will not be playing.
This is because 16 teams, including the eight second-placed teams in their group and the eight third-placed teams in their Champions League group, participate in the first tournament, called the playoffs. This also applies to Milan, Benfica and Galatasaray.The second round of the play-off, played on Thursday 15 February and Thursday 22 February, was decided in a draw. The second-placed team in the Europa League group has a higher ranking than the third-placed team in the Champions League, so the Europa League runner-up will play the second leg at home.The winner of this playoff will advance to the Round of 16 as the group winner. Liverpool will continue their journey in the competition from here.
Bayer Leverkusen also reached the last 16 with manager Xabi Alonso still linked with a replacement for Klopp, along with Premier League clubs Brighton and West Ham. As group winners, the Reds will play the second leg at Anfield on Thursday, March 14, with the first leg taking place a week earlier on Thursday, March 7. The 1/8 final draw will take place on Friday, February 23. .
