Liverpool were drawn against Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals as Jurgen Klopp’s team continue their quest to complete the quadruple in the German coach’s final season in charge.
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, who came back in remarkable fashion to overcome Qarabag in the round of 16 with two stoppage-time goals, are to face West Ham.
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The semifinal draw means that Liverpool and Leverkusen, the two favourites for the competition, cannot meet until the final, set for May 22 at the Dublin Arena in Ireland.
Should the two teams progress through the next two rounds, it would be one of Klopp’s final fixtures in charge after more than eight years at the helm and would pit him against Alonso who has been heavily linked with taking over at Anfield after his departure.
“Tricky, Atalanta, we played them, it’s not like I watched them 500 times since then, but still the same manager, similar structure, so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised,” Klopp told a news conference on Friday.
“But it’s quarterfinals, I didn’t expect, with all the teams involved, any easy opponent.”
The last eight will also see an all-Italian clash between Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan and AS Roma, who beat Slavia Prague and Brighton respectively.
The draw was rounded out with three-time Europa League finalist Benfica coming up against Marseille.
For the semifinals, the winner of the tie between Liverpool and Atalanta will face Benfica or Marseille, and Milan or Roma will come up against Leverkusen or West Ham.
The quarterfinals will take place on April 11 and 18 for the first and second legs respectively, with the semifinals set for May 2 and 9.
In the marquee clash of the Europa Conference League, UEFA’s third-tier competition, Aston Villa were drawn against Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the quarterfinals.
AC Milan vs. AS Roma
Liverpool vs. Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen vs. West Ham
Benfica vs. Marseille
Benfica / Marseille vs. Liverpool / Atalanta
AC Milan / AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen / West Ham