Europa League – The Empire of The Kop

Liverpool fans set for ‘crazy’ chase as UEFA announce Europa League final ticket details

Liam Togher — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:43:13 +0000

The race is on for Liverpool fans wishing to attend the Europa League final this year, with UEFA opening the ticket portal on Tuesday.

The prices and allocations were confirmed on the association’s website this morning, with the two finalists receiving a mere 12,000 tickets each, and a further 12,000 available to the general public to purchase. Applicants are able to request up to four tickets in the various price categories.

The most expensive seats (Category 1) cost €150 each, with Category 2 available for €100 and Category 3 going for €65. Fans first tickets (reserved for the two finalists) are €40 each, the same price as accessibility tickets for spectators with disabilities.

The Times’ Henry Winter shared the details via X after the announcement, saying that demand is ‘going to be crazy’ with fans of the two clubs in the Europa League final being allocated just 12,000 tickets each.

Europa League finalists receive 12,000 tickets each (of 48,000). Another 12k available directly to fans of the finalists and general public. Demand going to be crazy, especially if #LFC reach Dublin. Fans First (fans of the teams): €40; Cat 3: €65; Cat 2: €100; Cat 1: €150.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 9, 2024

While Dublin’s Aviva Stadium has a capacity of 51,711 – about 50% more than the attendance at Basel’s St Jakob Park when Liverpool were last in the Europa League final in 2016 – demand for tickets is still going to be insane, particularly if the Reds make it to the showpiece fixture.

Kopites who’ve made far-flung trips to the likes of Istanbul, Athens and Kiev for previous European finals will be glad that they’ll only need to make a short hop across the Irish Sea this year, if Jurgen Klopp’s side can overcome Atalanta and then either Benfica or Marseille.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

Nonetheless, LFC supporters will understandably be fuming at why the club will only be guaranteed 12,000 tickets when that figure is less than 25% of the stadium’s capacity, and why more than 15,000 seats appear to be held back for corporate sponsors and other avenues inaccessible to the public.

With a distinct possibility of Reds fans travelling to Dublin even without a match ticket in their hand, there have been discussions about a possible fan venue at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park on the northside of the city, although that reported plan remains unconfirmed.

Hopefully Liverpool will make it to the Europa League final and, if so, that the matchday experience is far more pleasant than the horrific scenes witnessed in Paris two years ago.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

The post Liverpool fans set for ‘crazy’ chase as UEFA announce Europa League final ticket details appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool poised to play five away games on the bounce in crucial season run-in

Peter Kenny Jones — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:13:58 +0000

It’s always been Jurgen Klopp’s mantra of taking one game at a time but as Liverpool fans, we’re allowed to look a little further ahead to a potentially worrying run of matches.

Our next four matches see the Reds play three times at Anfield but that then understandably switches for a potentially dangerous number of away fixtures.

After we face Crystal Palace on 14th April at home, if we progress through to the Europa League semi-finals, then the miles will start to be clocked up.

We will travel to Atalanta, Fulham, Everton, West Ham and then Benfica or Marseille without visiting our own home.

It doesn’t seem like the fairest of fixture organisation but with two European fixtures bookending the games, the luck of the draw has somewhat worked against us.

Add in that a Merseyside derby was rearranged for FA Cup involvement earlier in the season, it’s just been a stroke of misfortune.

We can take some solace from the fact that the three home matches in four games we are experiencing now is repeated at the end of the season – when we look to plot a route to Dublin and Premier League success.

Let’s hope that our inevitably emotional farewell to Jurgen Klopp can benefit from a glut of home games in the closing weeks.

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

The post Liverpool poised to play five away games on the bounce in crucial season run-in appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

(Video) Leverkusen ace already seems to be yearning for Liverpool showdown in Europa League final

Liam Togher — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:49:10 +0000

The possibility of a Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool final in the Europa League increased significantly after the recent draw ensured that the teams would be kept apart until then, should they continue to progress in the competition.

One player from Xabi Alonso’s squad already seems to be relishing the prospect of coming up against the Reds in Dublin eight weeks from today.

During a training session with the Netherlands squad earlier this week, Jeremie Frimpong shaped up to take a penalty, grasping the ball and taunting Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo by confidently stating: “Europa League final, last penalty against Liverpool!”

As the Leverkusen wing-back set himself up for the spot kick, the ball that he’d placed was dislodged by another thrown by a teammate, prompting amusement among those watching on.

There are still two rounds to negotiate before any team left in the Europa League can truly look ahead to the final, but Frimpong certainly appears to be yearning for a crack at Liverpool in the Irish capital on 22 May!

You can view Frimpong’s comments below (from 7:22), via OnsOranje on YouTube:

The post (Video) Leverkusen ace already seems to be yearning for Liverpool showdown in Europa League final appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Neil Jones explains why he’d have liked Liverpool to get Leverkusen in Europa League draw

Liam Togher — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:34:29 +0000

Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are the two clear favourites to win the Europa League this year, and last Friday’s draw ensured that they won’t cross paths until the final, if they both make it to the Dublin showpiece.

If Jurgen Klopp’s side advance past Atalanta in the quarter-finals, they’d then face the winner of the Benfica v Marseille tie. On the other side of the draw, Xabi Alonso’s side meet West Ham next, with the winners then taking on either AC Milan or Roma.

While many Reds fans would likely have been relieved at being kept apart from the runaway Bundesliga leaders, who still haven’t lost a match all season, one journalist had actually been half-hoping to see the two teams paired together for a prospective semi-final.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

Writing for EOTK Insider, Neil Jones explained: “When the draw was made, some people were glad to have avoided Leverkusen. I actually think I wanted Liverpool to play them over two legs, especially to get Xabi Alonso back at Anfield and feel the love a little bit. I’m not sure he needs it, but perhaps just a reminder that this is a special place to come to.

“I’d have loved a semi-final second leg against Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool – it would have been unbelievable! Imagine coming there with the game in the balance! I wouldn’t say I was hoping for Leverkusen, but I wouldn’t have been upset if Liverpool got it.

“I think the draw has worked out quite well for Liverpool in all facets otherwise, but I wouldn’t have been disappointed to see Liverpool get Leverkusen in the quarters or semis.”

Jones’ logic for wanting Liverpool v Leverkusen in the last four, instead of waiting until the final, actually makes plenty of sense in the context of the Reds’ hierarchy trying to entice Alonso to take over from Klopp as our next manager in the summer.

Imagine if the two sides were to have met at Anfield in the second leg of the semi-finals, amid the narrative of many LFC fans wanting the 42-year-old to replace the German in the dugout a few weeks later.

There are plenty of examples to showcase why the L4 venue is a stadium like no other when a potential passage to a European final is at stake, and the extraordinary atmosphere which would’ve been generated if Leverkusen were the visitors would surely have left a huge impression on the Spaniard.

As it is, the prospect of Alonso coming up against Klopp in what’d be the 56-year-old’s Liverpool swansong in Dublin remains on course, and that too could make for an incredible occasion if it were to materialise.

The dream scenario would be for that mouth-watering final pairing to occur, with the Reds giving their iconic manager a triumphant, trophy-winning send-off before his opposite number in the other dugout takes the reins thereafter.

Surely that’s not too much to ask…!

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards and a multi-club model, Alonso’s Liverpool-esque moment, how Reds must respond to United setback and much more!

The post Neil Jones explains why he’d have liked Liverpool to get Leverkusen in Europa League draw appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool fans face more UEFA frustration amid reports of meagre Europa League final allocation

Liam Togher — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:00:37 +0000

If Liverpool get to the Europa League final, any Reds in attendance may be counting their blessings at being there for what’d be Jurgen Klopp’s last game in charge.

According to the Daily Mail, the two clubs who make it to the showpiece in Dublin on 22 May will be given a paltry ticket allocation of just 13,000 each, which’d comprise just over half of the Aviva Stadium’s 51,711 capacity.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

The remainder will be held back for UEFA sponsors, dignitaries and VIP guests, while information on the European governing body’s website regarding an online public ballot remains sketchy, to put it politely.

On the ticketing page for the fixture, visitors are told: ‘Information about the sale of standard tickets for UEFA Europa League Final 2024 will not be available before April 2024. Please visit UEFA.com/tickets regularly for updates.’

Liverpool fans could be left enraged by UEFA’s organisation of a European final yet again, two years on from the disgraceful scenes outside the Stade de France as Reds supporters were treated horrendously by heavy-handed French police.

It’s a depressing indictment of modern football that the continent’s governing body would reserve so many tickets for a showpiece fixture for bigwigs in designer suits, instead of prioritising followers of whichever two clubs are involved in Dublin.

The Irish authorities have already voiced concerns over an influx to the capital city in May, should Klopp’s team make it to the Europa League decider, with discussions underway about potentially opening the 82,300-capacity Croke Park to use as an official fan zone.

Of course, Liverpool still have a couple of rounds to negotiate if they’re to make it to the final, but even if we fall short, there’ll still be two fanbases left scrambling for tickets because of UEFA’s inexplicable allocations.

Once again, the governing body of European football is showing scant regard for loyal supporters who are the lifeblood of the sport throughout the continent.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

The post Liverpool fans face more UEFA frustration amid reports of meagre Europa League final allocation appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool to face Atalanta in Europa quarter-finals; Anfield leg first with possible Leverkusen final looming

Peter Kenny Jones — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:24:31 +0000

Liverpool fans were delighted to see a convincing 6-1 victory at home against Sparta Praha and that ensured safe passage to the quarter-final of the competition.

Our reward for this 11-2 aggregate win was to be drawn against Atalanta, with our tie at Anfield to be played first.

This will be the second time we have met the Italians in European competition, with both sides recording away victories during our group stage clashes in the Champions League three years ago.

After scoring five in Bergamo, where Diogo Jota scored a hat-trick, we suffered a 2-0 loss at home in the midst of a defensive crisis.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are totally different in 2024 though and we will be looking to book our place in the final four of the competition – in some style.

It was also revealed that, should we win against the Serie A outfit, then we will be facing the winners of Benfica vs. Marseille in a semi-final.

The next step allows us to possibly meet Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in a final in Dublin, although there’s a lot of football still to be played for either team to book a place in Ireland.

It sets up an exciting route to European success though and a possible fairytale final.

You can view confirmation of the draw via @LFC on X:

We’ll face Atalanta in the #UEL quarter-final pic.twitter.com/lSGWpZEqq5

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 15, 2024

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post Liverpool to face Atalanta in Europa quarter-finals; Anfield leg first with possible Leverkusen final looming appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

‘Shocked’, ‘Some fans won’t be happy’ – Journalists react to eyebrow-raising Liverpool starting XI

Liam Togher — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 19:09:06 +0000

Liverpool may be 5-1 up going into tonight’s Europa League round of 16 second leg against Sparta Prague at Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp isn’t taking any chances with his starting XI.

Despite the comfortable buffer for the home tie, the manager has named Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson, among other first-team regulars, in the line-up to face the Czech champions.

Two prominent journalists covering the game for the Liverpool Echo admitted to being taken aback by the strength of the Reds’ XI, given the emphatic lead from last week and the proximity of the FA Cup clash at Manchester United on Sunday.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

Writing for the publication’s live matchday blog, Ian Doyle stated (18:52): “Some fans won’t be happy with that starting line-up but the reality is Liverpool have a job to do.

“If they get through to half-time in at least as strong a position as they started, then expect certain players to be substituted. That said, for all the talk of momentum, there’s only one more game until a long international break.”

His colleague Paul Gorst said (18:49): “I am shocked by how strong Jurgen Klopp has gone here tonight with his starting XI.

“It was telling that Szoboszlai would start given he was up for media duties yesterday and I assumed Salah would play for the minutes but Robertson, [Wataru] Endo and Nunez are all eyebrow-raisers. [Caoimhin] Kelleher too. Either way, something to look forward to for the fans who maybe expected a much less familiar lineup.”

Klopp’s scope for rotation is lessened by injuries to several first-team players, although it does seem surprising that he’s included the likes of Salah, Szoboszlai and Robertson in the circumstances.

The hope is that Liverpool can further extend their aggregate lead by half-time and maybe then withdraw the big names to make way for talented youngsters like Jayden Danns, Kaide Gordon and James McConnell.

It’s clear from the strength of the line-up that the Reds boss is paying plenty of respect to Sparta Prague despite the heavy defeat in the Czech capital last week, which on the balance of play was a closer contest than the 5-1 final score would suggest.

Fans may be watching through their fingers if any of the first-team regulars go to ground with even a minor knock, but hopefully everyone will come through the match without any damage being done.

The perfect scenario? Tack on a couple of goals before the interval and take off Salah, Nunez et al to rest them up for Sunday at Old Trafford.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

The post ‘Shocked’, ‘Some fans won’t be happy’ – Journalists react to eyebrow-raising Liverpool starting XI appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool add 17/yo to Europa League squad; he’s set for maiden first-team involvement tonight

Liam Togher — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:41:14 +0000

There’s a new name in Liverpool’s Europa League squad, and he could be a potential first-team debutant for the Reds against Sparta Prague tonight.

As reported by Liverpool World, and confirmed on UEFA.com, Carter Pinnington has been added to Jurgen Klopp’s European pool among ‘Player List B’, which allows for an unlimited number of players aged 21 or under and already at their club for a minimum of two consecutive years to supplement the primary 25-man list.

The 17-year-old has been called up amid doubts over Ibrahima Konate’s involvement due to a fitness issue, and Amara Nallo’s ineligibility for List B as he’s been at Anfield for less than two years.

Pinnington has yet to make his senior bow for Liverpool or even be included in a first-team matchday squad (Transfermarkt), but he could be in line to become the latest academy talent to feature under Klopp this season, following on from the likes of Jarell Quansah, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas.

Although the Reds are set to have three senior centre-backs in contention to start tonight, the comfort of taking a 5-1 lead back to Anfield and the looming FA Cup visit to Old Trafford on Sunday could see some unfamiliar names given an opportunity against Sparta Prague.

The 17-year-old mightn’t go straight into the starting line-up but could well be granted a place among the substitutes, and possibly introduced for his debut in the latter exchanges if we’re very comfortable.

Klopp has already used 34 players in first-team matches at Liverpool this season, and it’s not wholly unthinkable that Pinnington could extend that list to 35 by the end of tonight. Could another watershed career moment be granted by the German in a few hours’ time?

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

The post Liverpool add 17/yo to Europa League squad; he’s set for maiden first-team involvement tonight appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

82,300-capacity stadium could be used as official fan zone if Liverpool reach Europa League final

Liam Togher — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:45:42 +0000

Liverpool supporters hoping to be in Dublin for the Europa League final in May could have a grand setting in which to congregate, even if they don’t manage to get match tickets.

The showpiece will be held at the 52,000-capacity Aviva Stadium on the southside of the city on 22 May, but discussions are reportedly underway about an even bigger venue being used as an official fan zone.

The Independent‘s Miguel Delaney has reported that UEFA and the Irish authorities are exploring the possibility of Croke Park, which has a capacity of 82,300 and is owned by the GAA, accommodating an overflow if either or both finalists are anticipated to bring large travelling support.

A follow-up report by the Irish Examiner claimed that large screens could be set up at that stadium to broadcast the Europa League final being held six kilometres to the south, although that’s understood to be contingent on Liverpool’s presence in the fixture.

The Reds boast a very strong fanbase in Ireland and, in anticipation of potentially reaching the final, many hotels in Dublin and its surroundings have long since booked out that night.

Liverpool still have two rounds to negotiate before the final – the round of 16 second leg against Sparta Prague at Anfield on Thursday should be a formality, given our 5-1 lead from last week – so Jurgen Klopp won’t have his eyes trained on a potential trip to Dublin just yet.

However, should the Reds make it to a fifth European final under the German (in what’d be his last game in charge if we don’t reach the FA Cup decider on 25 May), the Irish capital would be on standby for one hell of a party, given the volume of LFC supporters throughout the country.

Just imagine if Croke Park – which is a straightforward 20-minute walk from the city centre – is full to the brim with Kopites, in addition to those fortunate enough to get tickets for the game at the Aviva Stadium if Liverpool are involved.

Irrespective of the result, it should make for a much more amenable occasion than the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, where inadequate organisation and heavy-handed French policing ensured a needlessly miserable experience for many Reds fans.

There are still hurdles to be cleared before the Europa League decider, of course, but hopefully Klopp’s side can live up to their billing as tournament favourites and give us a memorable day out in Dublin in two months’ time!

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

The post 82,300-capacity stadium could be used as official fan zone if Liverpool reach Europa League final appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

(Video) Michael Owen names the team he’d love to see Liverpool facing in ‘dream final’

Liam Togher — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:11:33 +0000

Michael Owen has named the team he’d love to see Liverpool coming up against in what he described as a ‘dream’ Europa League final pairing.

The Reds are as good as into the quarter-finals of the tournament following their 5-1 win away to Sparta Prague in their round of 16 first leg clash on Thursday, and they remain many people’s favourites to win the competition.

However, there’s a good chance that they may need to do what no team has managed this season – beat Bayer Leverkusen, with Xabi Alonso’s runaway Bundesliga leaders also still involved in the Europa League.

The showpiece in Dublin on 22 May could be Jürgen Klopp’s last game as Liverpool manager (if we don’t get to the FA Cup final), and the narrative of him coming up against his potential successor would add extra intrigue if those two clubs were to be the last couple standing.

Speaking on TNT Sports on Thursday night, Owen declared: “The dream final has got to be Leverkusen and Liverpool, in Dublin, last game of Jürgen Klopp, maybe the next game will be Alonso at Liverpool as a replacement. That’s the dream.”

Assuming there’s no unwanted drama at Anfield next Thursday, Liverpool would still have two rounds to battle through before the final, and Leverkusen aren’t the only team who could pose a real danger to the Reds.

Roma and Marseille enjoyed emphatic wins last night, while AC Milan also carry huge prestige. In another potential Klopp v next LFC manager clash, Ruben Amorim‘s Sporting Lisbon can’t be discounted either, should they prevail against Atalanta in the round of 16.

A Liverpool v Leverkusen final in Dublin would be a brilliant occasion, but there’s plenty of work still to be done before we can start to get giddy about that prospect.

You can view Owen’s comments below, via @footballontnt on X (formerly Twitter):

"The dream final has got to be Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool… the last game of Jürgen Klopp" @themichaelowen picks his ideal #UEL final, whilst @RorySmith runs through other contenders for the competition…

@acjimbo pic.twitter.com/zBzdME2WIO

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2024

The post (Video) Michael Owen names the team he’d love to see Liverpool facing in ‘dream final’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool confirm 23-player squad for Sparta Prague trip as Mo Salah decision made

Liam Togher — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:45:28 +0000

Liverpool have confirmed the 23-player squad who’ve jetted off to Czechia for the Europa League round of 16 first leg clash against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

The full list of names was announced on the official LFC website this afternoon, and there are some standout inclusions.

Mo Salah makes the trip to the Czech capital after he trained earlier today as he nears a return to action following his recent muscle injury, while the squad includes two players in Mateusz Musialowski and Fabian Mrozek who’ve yet to play a first-team fixture for the club.

Jurgen Klopp mightn’t take a risk on deploying Salah tomorrow evening if he’s only just back training today, especially with a potentially defining Premier League showdown against Manchester City coming up on Sunday.

However, the 31-year-old’s inclusion among the travelling party firmly indicates that he’s on the verge of retuning to match action, which comes as a massive boost just days before Liverpool’s biggest game of the season so far.

It could be the case that the Egyptian doesn’t start against Sparta but is held in reserve for a possible second half cameo if the manager feels that the situation required it.

Elsewhere, with Klopp bound to have the City game on his mind, there could be minutes in Prague for young players such as Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas.

It’s unlikely that he’d throw Musialowski and Mrozek into the fray for a senior debut unless the Reds are winning comfortably in the closing stages, but then again who foresaw Jayden Danns going from first-team debutant to Carabao Cup winner and double FA Cup goalscorer in the space of a week?

The starting XI will make for interesting reading when it’s confirmed at roughly 4:30pm on Thursday, with plenty of eyes set to be trained on whether or not a certain Egyptian will be included.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield? One Liverpool star has come alive in last three months and much more!

The post Liverpool confirm 23-player squad for Sparta Prague trip as Mo Salah decision made appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Sparta Prague: Key players, form guide and other things to know about Liverpool’s opponents

Liam Togher — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:57:06 +0000

After a three-month hiatus, Liverpool resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with an away clash against Sparta Prague in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

The Czech champions finished second in the group behind Rangers and then staged a dramatic comeback against Galatasaray – who dropped down from the Champions League – to earn a crack at Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Brian Priske’s team are currently on course to retain their domestic title, having lost only one league game and taken 60 points from a possible 69 so far, retaining their four-point lead over city rivals Slavia following a goalless draw in the capital derby last weekend.

Ahead of Thursday’s clash at the Letna Stadium, we’ve highlighted some of the key players of whom Liverpool will need to be wary tomorrow evening, along with some additional info on Sparta Prague.

Key players for Sparta Prague

Lukas Haraslin

The Slovakia winger is Sparta’s top scorer in all competitions this season with 14 goals, scoring three times in his last four games.

The 27-year-old is the team’s second most-fouled player in the Europa League so far (1.7 per game) and is also adept at taking on opposition defences, averaging 2.1 successful dribbles per match (WhoScored).

The tricky left-sided player could keep Conor Bradley quite busy tomorrow evening.

Jan Kuchta

The Czech centre-forward is hoping to maintain a run which has seen him score in his last three European matches, with 10 goals in total for the season so far (Transfermarkt).

The 27-year-old rounded off the 4-1 win over Galatasaray in the last round with a composed finish to cap a swift counterattack.

Ladislav Krejci

Sparta’s captain is a man mountain of a centre-back at 6 foot 4, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that headers from set pieces make up the bulk of his eight-goal tally this season.

The 24-year-old has only scored twice from such a scenario, also being entrusted with penalties and getting forward to good effect with neat left-footed finishes (Transfermarkt).

An intelligent reader of the play, he’s averaged two interceptions and 1.4 successful tackles per Europa League game so far in 2023/24 (WhoScored).

Possible Sparta line-up v Liverpool

Sparta Prague form guide

Since returning from their winter break a month ago, Sparta have won five of their seven matches, drawing one and losing the other. The draw against city rivals Slavia ended a run of nine consecutive wins in the top flight (it was also the first domestic game in which they didn’t score this season), while the sole defeat was in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off tie against Galatasaray.

The second leg against the Turkish champions was quite eventful and turned on a red card with 20 minutes to go, at which juncture the Czech side were drawing 1-1 on the night and trailing on aggregate. However, they punished Kaan Ayhan’s moment of madness by scoring three times to cap a 4-1 win in Prague and 6-4 overall in the tie.

Although Priske’s side have lost five matches in European competition in 2023/24 (including qualifying rounds), their only domestic defeat was against Mlada Boleslav back in October.

Sparta Prague’s history v Liverpool

These two sides have only been paired once in European competition before, and coincidentally that was also in the Europa League during a season when the final was in Dublin (2010/11).

The first leg of their round-of-32 clash was as forgettable as the 0-0 scoreline would suggest, and it wasn’t a great result for Liverpool at a time when the away goals rule was in force.

The return at Anfield a week later was no classic either, but just as extra time loomed large, Dirk Kuyt popped up in the 86th minute with the only goal of a largely drab tie. The Reds were eliminated by eventual runners-up Sporting Braga in the following round.

There’s one very famous name with strong loyalties to both clubs. Patrik Berger had seven fine years with LFC between 1996 and 2003 before going on to finish his playing career with Sparta in 2010.

Sparta Prague in Europe

Sparta are perennial participants in European competition, with this the 41st consecutive season in which they’ve played in a UEFA tournament.

They reached the semi-final of the Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1973 and weren’t far off playing in the 1992 European Cup final, having come second to eventual champions Barcelona in a group format which saw the top team advance to the final.

In the Champions League era, they’ve been in the last 16 on three occasions, most recently in 2004. This season represents their best performance in Europe since reaching the Europa League quarter-finals eight years ago.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield? One Liverpool star has come alive in last three months and much more!

The post Sparta Prague: Key players, form guide and other things to know about Liverpool’s opponents appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool’s March fixture list now finalised as date and time for Man United clash is confirmed

Liam Togher — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:48:06 +0000

Liverpool’s fixture list for March has now been finalised after the date and time for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United was confirmed.

LFC announced the details for that clash on their official website on Friday, with the game at Old Trafford fixed for Sunday 17 March with a 3:30pm kick-off – the same timeslot as the teams’ Premier League match three Sundays later.

The fixture was always in line to be moved back from the Saturday due to our involvement in the Europa League the preceding Thursday.

With confirmation of the details for the Man United clash, Liverpool’s finalised fixture list for March reads as follows (all kick-off times are GMT):

Saturday 2nd – Nottingham Forest (A), Premier League, 3pm
Thursday 7th – Sparta Prague (A), Europa League, 5:45pm
Sunday 10th – Manchester City (H), Premier League, 3:45pm
Thursday 14th – Sparta Prague (H), Europa League, 8pm
Sunday 17th – Manchester United (A), FA Cup, 3:30pm
Sunday 31st – Brighton (H), Premier League, 2pm

The spicy fixtures against both Manchester clubs fall less than 72 hours after the European double header against Sparta Prague, which probably won’t leave Jurgen Klopp ecstatic but is to be expected when Liverpool are still fighting on three fronts.

At least there’s a sizeable gap between tomorrow’s game at Forest and the trip to the Czech capital, and for once an international break doesn’t immediately precede a Saturday 12:30 kick-off for the Reds.

All going well, there’ll still be three competitions on the agenda for LFC in a month’s time.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Klopp’s successor in the Portuguese league? FSG must learn from one summer transfer and much more!

The post Liverpool’s March fixture list now finalised as date and time for Man United clash is confirmed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

(Video) Europa League rival manager makes Liverpool statement our fans will love

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:43:11 +0000

Liverpool fans are hoping that we can provide Jurgen Klopp with the best possible send-off at the end of this season and that includes possibly winning the Europa League too.

Speaking with the press ahead of a Europa League clash with Rennes, Stefano Pioli was asked the name the favourties to win the competition and said: “So, I say before putting Milan [as favourites], let’s go through this round and then after I’ll tell you where we are.

“Now, it could be Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool and Atalanta, in my opinion that are the favorite teams too.”

It’s nice to hear that we are being spoken about so highly from those around Europe and let’s hope we live up to our reputation of being the ones to beat.

The prospect of meeting Bayer Leverkusen in a possible Dublin final will whet the appetite of many but there’s a lot of football to be played before that can happen.

You can watch Pioli’s comments on Liverpool (from 13:05) via EsteNews on YouTube:

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post (Video) Europa League rival manager makes Liverpool statement our fans will love appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool remain favourites to win the Europa League

Liam Togher — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 08:58:41 +0000

Liverpool qualified fairly easily for the knockout stage of the Europa League, finishing one point ahead of Toulouse to claim top spot in Group E.

Four victories ensured they progressed straight to the round of 16, although away defeats against Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise scuppered the Reds’ hopes of staying unbeaten in the competition.

Despite those losses, Liverpool are the favourites with leading online bookmakers to lift the prestigious trophy at the end of the season.

One of the Reds’ mainstays in their Europa League journey has been Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has started five of their six games in the tournament.

The club’s sizeable Irish fanbase have been keeping a close eye on their progress as the 25-year-old has started in goal ahead of Alisson Becker. His presence in the team has sparked enthusiasm on betting sites, with Liverpool rated as 3.25 shots to win the Europa League.

However, punters will be hoping that manager Jurgen Klopp restores Alisson to the starting XI in the knockout stages, particularly given the strength of the competition.

The same point applies to forward Mo Salah, who started just twice during the group stage. He remains Liverpool’s main attacking threat, acting as a goalscorer and creator this season.

Despite mostly appearing off the bench in their Europa League games, the Egyptian bagged three goals. He has also notched 11 goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League matches.

Leverkusen Head List of Europa League Contenders

While top bookmakers in the United Kingdom and Ireland are tipping Liverpool to win the Europa League, several other teams have a genuine chance of emerging victorious.

They include Bayer Leverkusen, who have been in unstoppable former under former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso. Die Werkself emerged from Group H with a faultless record.

Leverkusen have been flying high this season and are priced at odds of 6.50 to win the prestigious title for only the second time in their history after claiming the UEFA Cup in 1988.

The German club has been derided for their bad luck after finishing as Bundesliga runners-up five times without ever winning the title. They have also been runners-up three times in the DFB-Pokal, once in the DFB Supercup and once in the Champions League.

Serie A giants AC Milan are another team who could be dangerous after dropping from the Champions League into the Europa League. They have automatically become one of the top betting contenders for the trophy.

The Rossoneri were drawn in the so-called ‘group of death’ in the Champions League alongside Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Milan looked like they were destined to leave empty-handed but picked up a crucial win against the Magpies at St James’ Park to secure third place in the group and a spot in the Europa League.

The seven-time European champions have never previously won the Europa League but will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Evan Ferguson in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

West Ham United are also through to the next round and aiming to pick up a second consecutive European trophy after clinching the Europa Conference League title last season.

David Moyes’ side secured qualification to the next round early but had to contend with SC Freiburg for top spot in their group. The Hammers got the job done, cruising to a 2-0 win over the Bundesliga side on the final matchday thanks to goals from summer signings Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez.

Kudus will be crucial for West Ham as they enter the knockout stage. The Ghanaian is hitting top form at just the right time and should play a pivotal role in their campaign.

Brighton & Hove Albion also made it to the knockout phase in their first-ever European campaign and will be hungry to go even further in the tournament. The Seagulls pipped Marseille to top spot in their group thanks to Joao Pedro’s 11th goal for the club since signing for them this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have fought hard to come this far and will not go out easily as they look to accomplish something special in their maiden European adventure.

However, while Liverpool undoubtedly face plenty of serious rivals in the Europa League, they look a good bet to get the job done and deliver a winning return to sports bettors.

Anfield Annals: John Smith – Liverpool’s Red Knight and Most Successful Chairman

The post Liverpool remain favourites to win the Europa League appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.