The Europa League returns on Thursday with a first knockout round of 16 teams, but Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Rangers are not involved.
All four British teams made it out of their group, meaning they are straight into the last 16 along with Atalanta, Villarreal, Salvia Praha and Bayer Leverkusen. However, to reach the round of 16, the eight second-placed teams in their group must win their playoff games.These teams play on Thursday and have been drawn eight against eight.
the teams that finished third in their Champions League groups. These ties will be contested in two stages, the first on Thursday and the second on the 22nd. in February.
The eight teams that won the finals will be drawn against the winners of the last 16 groups and the draw will take place on February 23rd. These matches are scheduled for March 7th and 14th.
Liverpool have yet to decide on their search for a new sporting director, but the club have already linked or could be considering a number of candidates.
The decision on who will lead Liverpool’s transfer strategy is said to be as important as their next managerial appointment.With Jorg Schmadtke relieved of his short-term duties at the end of January, Fenway Sports Group is looking for a more permanent solution following the departures of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward.
As the search for Jürgen Klopp’s successor continues in the media – despite FSG’s insistence on keeping it under wraps – there may be less information about the sporting director’s hunt..
