Liverpool’s 5-4 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund secured Jurgen Klopp‘s side a place in a strong group for the Europa League semi-finals.
Goals from Divock Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren clawed the Reds to victory, as Klopp continues his fine work just six months after making the move to Merseyside in October.
With little left to play for in the Premier League, the Reds can focus their efforts on reaching May’s final at Basel’s St Jakob-Park.
The Europa League semi-final draw is set to take place on Friday morning at 11.30am, and will be held at UEFA’s basecamp in Nyon, Switzerland, live on Sky Sports News.
After surpassing the side who Klopp himself described as “runaway favourites” to win the tournament, Liverpool can consider themselves in with a great chance of European glory.
First, however, they must seal victory in the semi-finals, and the Reds could take on any of Shakhtar Donetsk, Villarreal or Sevilla on 28 April and 5 May.
Shakhtar were handed arguably the most favourable draw for the quarter-finals, and the Ukrainian side duly dispatched of SC Braga with a 6-1 aggregate win over two legs, winning 4-0 at home on Thursday night.
La Liga challengers Villarreal saw off Czech Republic side Sparta Prague by virtue of a 4-2 away at the Generali Arena, with two goals from the in-form Cedric Bakambu helping his side to victory.
Meanwhile, reigning Europa League champions Sevilla were taken to the wire by fellow Spanish side Athletic Bilbao, but Kevin Gameiro’s spot-kick sealed a 5-4 penalty-shootout win in Seville.
Liverpool’s win at Anfield proved that Klopp’s side are capable of defeating the most esteemed of European sides, and while Shakhtar, Villarreal and Sevilla will be tough opposition, Klopp will be buoyed by Thursday’s heroics.
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