
Liverpool's Path to Europa League Glory, Including Possible Clash With Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the Final
The draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League took place on Friday.
It was swiftly followed by the semi-final draw, meaning that the eight remaining teams could each begin plotting their possible route to glory.
Liverpool - who are rated by bookmakers as the most likely team to lift the trophy at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on May 22 - will face Atalanta of Italy in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere, AC Milan will take on Serie A rivals Roma, while West Ham United will meet Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The other quarter-final will see Benfica clash with Marseille.
Europa League quarter-final draw
- AC Milan vs. Roma
- Liverpool vs. Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. West Ham
- Benfica vs. Marseille
Quarter-final first legs will take place on April 11, with the return matches being held seven days later.

Liverpool qualified for the quarter-finals by beating Sparta Prague 11-2 on aggregate in the round of 16
IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe
Liverpool and West Ham were on different sides of Friday's semi-final draw, meaning that they cannot meet until the final.
The Reds will be up against either Benfica or Marseille if they reach the semi-finals.
Europa League semi-final draw
- Benfica or Marseille vs. Liverpool or Atalanta
- AC Milan or Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham
All quarter-final first legs will be played on May 2. The second legs will take place on May 9.

West Ham will face AC Milan or Roma in the semi-finals if they get past Bayer Leverkusen
IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Toyin Oshodi
Based on current form, Leverkusen are the most likely team to reach the final from their half of the bracket.
Leverkusen - who are managed by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - have not lost a single game in any competition this season, winning 32 and drawing five of their first 37 fixtures.
Liverpool's route to the Europa League final
- Quarter-finals: Atalanta (April 11 and 18)
- Semi-finals: Benfica or Marseille (May 2 and 9)
- Final: AC Milan or Roma or Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham (May 22)