Hodgson will select Reds' big names for knockout ties
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fernando Torres was controversially omitted from Liverpool's Europa League team in midweek but he and Steven Gerrard will be featuring in the competition from now on, said Roy Hodgson yesterday.
Hodgson, who reached the final with Fulham last season, said, "We're at the knockout stage now and it will be important to put out our best team every time if we want to go further in the competition."
Liverpool meet Sparta Prague in the last 32 with either Poland's Lech Poznan, or Portugal's Braga, barring the way to the quarter-finals should they progress. "I think it's a very good draw," said Hodgson, citing the ease of travelling and scouting opponents.
Prague include Marek Matejovsky, who once scored a stunning goal for Reading at Anfield, and the former West Ham United defender Tomas Repka, now dismissed 17 times in his career.
Manchester City face a more demanding schedule with Greek club Aris Thessalonkiki their last-32 opponents, followed by a potential trip to either Ukraine, to play Dynamo Kiev, or Turkey's Besiktas. The latter was the venue of violent clashes between supporters at a Turkish league match recently which required the use of police baton charges and tear gas to break up.
First City must defeat Aris, who knocked the holders Atletico Madrid out in the group stages and are managed by Hector Cuper, the hottest managerial talent in the game a decade ago.
City's football administrator Brian Marwood said: "It's two former Inter Milan coaches going head to head and I'm looking forward to it. It will be a difficult period, I think we play Manchester United before the away trip, but as we get close we will prepare accordingly.
Rangers, Scotland's remaining European representatives, have a tricky draw against Sporting Lisbon, with Lille or PSV Eindhoven their putative opponents in the next round.
Draw Details
Round of 32
*Napoli v Villarreal, Rangers v Sporting, Sparta Prague v Liverpool, Anderlecht v Ajax, Lech Poznan v Braga, Besiktas v Dynamo Kiev, Basle v Spartak Moscow, Young Boys v Zenit St Petersburg, Aris Thessaloniki v Manchester City, PAOK v CSKA Moscow, Seville v Porto, Rubin Kazan v FC Twente, Lille v PSV, Benfica v Stuttgart, BATE Borisov v Paris St Germain, M Kharkiv v B Leverkusen
Ties take place 17 & 24 February
Selected round of 16 ties
*Besiktas/Dynamo Kiev v Salonika/Man City, Lille/PSV Eindhoven v Rangers/Sporting, Sparta Prague/Liverpool v Lech Poznan/Braga
Ties take place 10 & 17 March
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments