Jurgen Klopp’s first Europa League berth since his first campaign came from Liverpool’s 2022–2023 collapse, and the German manager will be hoping this is the last time he manages matches at Anfield in UEFA’s second most prestigious club competition.
Still, it’s safe to say that supporters have had a good time during the group stage. There was a ton of goals, lots of winning, and Klopp was able to give both young, exciting fringe players and rising academy stars minutes.
Liverpool’s triumph in the group stage has spared them the two extra games that come with the Europa League knockout round play-offs in the new year.
This is the reason.
What is the Europa League knockout play-off round?
With the introduction of the Europa League knockout play-off for the 2021–2022 season, the round of 32 was virtually superseded.
The eight teams who place third in their groups and are eliminated from the Champions League will face the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage in the first round of the knockout stages.
These two-leg matches are slated to take place in February 2024. Following a tie, the victor of each tie advances to the round of sixteen in the Europa League.
Why won’t Liverpool won’t be involved in the Europa League knockout round play-off draw?
Liverpool topped Group E and will go directly to the round of 16, thus they won’t be included in the play-off draw for the Europa League knockout stage.
Even though the Reds lost in Toulouse on the fourth matchday, their triumph over LASK at Anfield cemented their place atop the group.
When is the Europa League knockout round play-off draw?
On Monday, December 18, at 13:00 CET, the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off draw will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
When will Liverpool compete in the Europa League round of 16?
The round of 16 will mark the start of the Reds’ knockout campaign in the Europa League, where they surely want to make it all the way.
The games for this round, which consists of two legs, are set for March 7 and 14, 2024.
The final is set for May 22, 2024, and it will take place at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.