Liverpool received a favourable draw for the upcoming Europa League group stage, as announced on Friday. The Reds, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, will face LASK from Austria, Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium, and the French Cup victors, Toulouse, in Group E.
“The Anfield club are appearing in the Europa League for the first time since 2015/16, when they lost the final to Sevilla, after finishing fifth in last season’s Premier League.”
Brighton’s European Debut Features Matches Against Ajax and Marseille
Brighton and Hove Albion, who secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, are set to make their European debut. Their reward is a challenging draw in Group B, where they will compete against the likes of Ajax, the storied four-time European champions and 1992 UEFA Cup winners. Additionally, Brighton will face off against the 1993 Champions League victors, Marseille, and the reigning Greek champions, AEK Athens.
West Ham United and TSC’s European Ventures
West Ham United, the previous season’s Europa Conference League champions, find themselves in Group A. Their journey will take them to Greece to play against Olympiakos. This group also includes the German Bundesliga team, Freiburg, and Serbia’s TSC Backa Topola.
“TSC are making a rare foray into Europe after coming second in the Serbian league last season.”
Rangers, Real Betis, and More in Group C
After a setback against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League play-offs, the 2022 Europa League finalists, Rangers, have been placed in Group C. They will be competing against Spain’s Real Betis, Czech champions Sparta Prague, and the Cypriot title-winners, Aris Limassol.
Roma’s Journey in Group G
Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, still reminiscing about their penalty shootout loss to Sevilla in last season’s final, are set to play in Group G. Their opponents for the group stage include Slavia Prague, Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova, and Switzerland’s Servette of Geneva.
Key Dates for the Europa League
Football enthusiasts should mark their calendars for September 21, as this is when the first round of group-stage matches will commence. The climax of the competition, the Europa League final, is scheduled to take place in Dublin on May 22, 2024.
