Guide to the Europa League Quarter Finals

By This Is Anfield On · 14 Comments · In LFC News

Liverpool overcame a first leg deficit to defeat French side Lille 3-1 on aggregate in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening.

That puts Rafa Benitez‘s side into the quarter finals of the competition, with the draw for the latter stages being made on Friday at Uefa’s headquarters in Switzerland.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Fulham came from 1-0 down on the night and 4-1 behind on aggregate to defeat Italian giants Juventus 5-4 at Craven Cottage. A memorable night for Roy Hodgson‘s side. They are one of the seven possible opponents for Liverpool when the draw is made, with country protection no longer applicable.

The Reds could also face Rafa’s old side Valencia, currently third in La Liga, who defeated Werder Bremen on away goals after a David Villa hat-trick in their 4-4 draw (5-5 on aggregate).

The other remaining quarter finalists are Fernando Torres‘ former club Atletico Madrid, German sides Hamburg and Wolfsburg, Standard Liege of Belgium and Portugese side Benfica.

From Uefa: At this stage of the tournament, no teams are seeded and clubs from the same national association can be drawn against each other. The quarter-finals are played on a home-and-away basis on 1 and 8 April, with the semi-finals on 22 and 29 April. This season’s final will be at the Hamburg Arena at 20.45CET on Wednesday 12 May.

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  • inthedoghouse

    Good game tonight after the recent weeks with negative press.
    Thought Lucas the pick of the bunch, very effective working further forward. Harassing their midfielders further up denying them time to find their forwards was more pro-active than trying to stop them at the 18yrd box. Looked a bit dodgy for a while when Lille threw their players forward , but the defenders did their job and denied then to two chances.
    Thought Ryan had a decent enough game of it as well, but would like him to take the last defender on more often down the line using his pace. But better performance from him none the less.
    If we play more like this then no reason why we can’t win the Europa League.

  • inthedoghouse

    Good game tonight after the recent weeks with negative press.
    Thought Lucas the pick of the bunch, very effective working further forward. Harassing their midfielders further up denying them time to find their forwards was more pro-active than trying to stop them at the 18yrd box. Looked a bit dodgy for a while when Lille threw their players forward , but the defenders did their job and denied then to two chances.
    Thought Ryan had a decent enough game of it as well, but would like him to take the last defender on more often down the line using his pace. But better performance from him none the less.
    If we play more like this then no reason why we can’t win the Europa League.

  • YK

    I agree. Yesterday’s match was a replay off the P’mouth victory, Lucas is really getting better. None of the teams we might be facing is going to be easy and we must not be complacent. Our form this season is so shaky that even if we face a championship team in the finals we might lose to them. Hope Rafa does something and brings out the best in Babel, Aquilani, Kuyt, Torres, Mascherano and Gerrard. Maybe Lucas as well.

  • YK

    I agree. Yesterday’s match was a replay off the P’mouth victory, Lucas is really getting better. None of the teams we might be facing is going to be easy and we must not be complacent. Our form this season is so shaky that even if we face a championship team in the finals we might lose to them. Hope Rafa does something and brings out the best in Babel, Aquilani, Kuyt, Torres, Mascherano and Gerrard. Maybe Lucas as well.

  • twopoms

    Great result – still not very convincing though the recent crisis of confidence on the pitch has spilled over to the fans! Hopefully Babel will take full advantage of Riera asking Rafa for a move via the media!

  • twopoms

    Great result – still not very convincing though the recent crisis of confidence on the pitch has spilled over to the fans! Hopefully Babel will take full advantage of Riera asking Rafa for a move via the media!

  • Red for life

    Yeas I agree a far better performance tonight although I still think Lille were in awe of Anfield but nevetheless we won and it was fairly comfortable. What’s changed well Rafa seems to have loosened the shackles and we are starting to play like the end of last season moving the ball quickly and not giving teams a chance to get set. Has Rafa been reading our blogs.We have been crying out for this for ages a more attacking side.It still remains to be seen if Rafa will still be there at the end of the season but at least the players look a little happier and seem to have some self belief back. I for one still think finishing 4th is beyond us due to too many poor results but hey this is football and anything can happen.We will certainly need to be in good form for the quarters as there are some good teams left In this competition

  • Red for life

    Yeas I agree a far better performance tonight although I still think Lille were in awe of Anfield but nevetheless we won and it was fairly comfortable. What’s changed well Rafa seems to have loosened the shackles and we are starting to play like the end of last season moving the ball quickly and not giving teams a chance to get set. Has Rafa been reading our blogs.We have been crying out for this for ages a more attacking side.It still remains to be seen if Rafa will still be there at the end of the season but at least the players look a little happier and seem to have some self belief back. I for one still think finishing 4th is beyond us due to too many poor results but hey this is football and anything can happen.We will certainly need to be in good form for the quarters as there are some good teams left In this competition

  • Precious M. Tembo

    That was a good performance by the reds. If Torres will be fit until the end of the season, i can see Liverpool being the Europa league winners and finishing fourth in the Premier League come the end of the season.

  • Precious M. Tembo

    That was a good performance by the reds. If Torres will be fit until the end of the season, i can see Liverpool being the Europa league winners and finishing fourth in the Premier League come the end of the season.

  • Lawrence Okwutu, LIVERPOOL FAN

    Thanks Guys. This is a good performance. kudos to Lucas- most improved player in recent times. I wish Rafa starts to think more attacking and careful defending.

    all in all good one. however, Rafa should reconsider Albert Reira and reintergrate him back to the club. he is a good and quality player- he must have learnt his mistakes.

    Rafa should be a good human manager and a councellor all these makes a good coach.

  • Lawrence Okwutu, LIVERPOOL FAN-LAGOS

    Thanks Guys. This is a good performance. kudos to Lucas- most improved player in recent times. I wish Rafa starts to think more attacking and careful defending.

    all in all good one. however, Rafa should reconsider Albert Reira and reintergrate him back to the club. he is a good and quality player- he must have learnt his mistakes.

    Rafa should be a good human manager and a councellor all these makes a good coach.

  • chris duigan

    Lawrence, Lucas has been putting in performances like this for the whole season.
    Regarding the Riera rant: Rafa is the boss, he doesn’t have time to be a baby-sitter either. I’m sure Riera knows where Rafa’s office door is. Why doesn’t he knock on it, and ask for a chat?

  • chris duigan

    Lawrence, Lucas has been putting in performances like this for the whole season.
    Regarding the Riera rant: Rafa is the boss, he doesn’t have time to be a baby-sitter either. I’m sure Riera knows where Rafa’s office door is. Why doesn’t he knock on it, and ask for a chat?