Europa League draw LIVE: Latest Reaction as Liverpool earn easy draw but West Ham get horror trip – latest updates
LIVERPOOL and West Ham have learnt their Europa League fate - and it's bad news for the Hammers.
West Ham will meet high-flying Bayer Leverkusen, who are the runaway leaders in the Bundesliga and unbeaten in 32 matches this season.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have a slightly easier quarter-final tie against Atalanta, who currently sit sixth in Serie A.
Should both teams progress through the quarter and semi-final stages, there is the potential for an all-English Europa League final.
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Final details
This season's Europa League final will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22.
The 57,711-capacity venue as opened in 2010 and is home to the Republic of Ireland national team as well as the Ireland rugby team, Leinster Rugby and Lansdowne RFC.
It will be the second time stadium has hosted the Europa League final after Porto beat Braga back in 2011.
The Aviva Stadium is also set to be a host venue for Euro 2028.
Credit: Getty Europa League key dates
With the Europa League now reaching the quarter-final stages, just four matches separate the remaining sides from the final.
Two-legged quarters and semi-finals await before the showpiece match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Here are the key dates for the rest of the competition:
- April 11 - Quarter-final first leg
- April 18 - Quarter-final second leg
- May 2 - Semi-final first leg
- May 9 - Semi-final second leg
- May 22 - Final
Europa League supercomputer prediction
A supercomputer has predicted the winners of this season's Europa League following Friday's quarter-final draw.
supercomputer has predicted each sides chances of reaching the latter stages after 1000 simulations.
The supercomputer believes Jurgen Klopp will emerge victorious and land his first Europa League title at Liverpool, with the Reds emerging victorious in 37.2 per cent of simulations.
This is compared to 21.7 per cent for Leverkusen, while West Ham's odds of winning the whole thing have been set at a lowly 4.50 per cent.
Atalanta 'uncomfortable' says Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has reacted to Friday's Europa League quarter-final draw.
Liverpool will face Atalanta home and away for a place in the last four.
Reacting to the draw, he said: "Tricky. I have never played there. Super coach.
"Pretty similar structure [to before] and it means a very uncomfortable [opponent] to play against. It's quarter-final so you don't expect any easy opponents.
"Very interesting and I am really looking forward to it. Let's see what we can do. I have a lot of respect for what Atalanta are doing in the last few years. Very consistent team."
Fans claim draw was 'rigged'
Fuming fans accused the Europa League draw of being "rigged" as they predict Liverpool and Bayern Leverkusen will now cruise into the final.
While it was bad news for West Ham who drew high-flying Leverkusen, Liverpool have a slightly easier tie against Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
Should Liverpool win they will face either Benfica or Marseille and if Leverkusen or West Ham win they will face AC Milan or Roma in the semi-final.
With both sides on terrific form this term fans are convinced the teams will end up facing each other in the final.
Some even went as far as to say the whole draw was "rigged" to make sure Klopp got his farewell as the Reds are expected to sail through the next two rounds.
One fan on X said: "So the Europa League is fixed for a Liverpool vs Leverkusen final then."
Another supporter who agreed added: "They rigged the Europa draw for Klopp farewell😭😭😭."
While a West Ham fan did not seem too happy about the draw: "I knew we'd get them or Liverpool fixed these draws lpool had easy group easy round of 16 and got easiest team left in the quarters."
Where will the Europa Conference League final be held?
This year's Europa Conference League final will be held at the AEK Arena in Athens.
It will take place on May 29.
Credit: EPA Europa Conference League round-up
SunSport’s Martin Lipton gives his round-up of the Europa Conference League draw.
Martin Lipton gives his round up on the Conference League drawEuropa League round-up
SunSport's Martin Lipton gives his round-up of the Europa League draw.
Martin Lipton gives his round up on the Europa League drawXabi Alonso on West Ham
Discussing Bayer Leverkusen's Europa League quarter-final clash with West Ham, Xabi Alonso said: "Every team would have been tough.
"We know West Ham were successful in the Conference League last season.
"They have top players and we are excited for the Quarter Finals against a good team."
Credit: Getty
Europa Conference League draw in full
Quarter-finals:
- Club Bruges vs PAOK
- Olympiakos vs Fenerbahce
- Aston Villa vs Lille
- Viktoria Plzen vs Fiorentina
Semi-finals:
- Aston Villa/Lille vs Olympiakos/Fenerbahce
- Viktoria Plzen/Fiorentina vs Club Bruges/PAOK
Quarter-final draw
Liverpool and West Ham have learned their fate for the Europa League quarter-finals.
Where will the final be played?
This year's Europa League final will be played at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
It will take place on May 22.
Credit: Reuters When will the fixtures be played?
The dates for the upcoming fixtures are as follows:
- Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April 2024
- Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May 2024
- Final: 22 May 2024
Draw in full
Quarter-finals:
- AC Milan vs Roma
- Liverpool vs Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham
- Benfica vs Marseille
Semi-finals:
- Benfica/Marseille vs Liverpool/Atalanta
- AC Milan/Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
Final:
Benfica/Marseille or Liverpool/Atalanta vs AC Milan/Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
Final
Benfica/Marseille or Liverpool/Atalanta vs AC Milan/Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
Semi-finals
- Benfica/Marseille vs Liverpool/Atalanta
- AC Milan/Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
Quarter-final draw in full
- AC Milan vs Roma
- Liverpool vs Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham
- Benfica vs Marseille
Fourth quarter-final
Benfica vs Marseille
Third quarter-final
Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham
Second quarter-final
Liverpool vs Atalanta
First quarter-final
AC Milan vs Roma
Final countdown
The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
It is about to get underway!
Europa League draw
Hello and welcome to SunSport's coverage of this afternoon's Europa League draw.
Eight top teams are in the pot today - including two Premier League sides.
You don't want to miss this! Stay tuned!
- AC Milan
- Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Benfica
- Liverpool
- Marseille
- Roma
- West Ham