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Liverpool FC Supporters Club

Europa League Draw Anticipation Builds: Liverpool’s Tough Challenge Unveiled in Early Pot Predictions

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Liverpool FC is gearing up for a return to Europa League action, with the draw for the group stage fast approaching. After finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, despite a late push for the top four, the Reds find themselves back in Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s inaugural season in 2016.

Notably, Liverpool’s last Europa League outing in 2016 ended in a heartbreakingly close defeat to Sevilla in the final. This time, as the anticipation builds, Liverpool has been placed in pot one alongside some formidable opponents, including West Ham, Roma, and Villarreal, who were the runners-up in the previous Europa League campaign. Adding to the intrigue, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen are also confirmed members of this top-tier pot.

Twitter account @UefaRankings, known for its insightful predictions, has already projected the possible composition of each pot and the potential foes Liverpool might encounter.

Intriguing Europa League Draw Predictions

Several teams currently navigating the qualification rounds are expected to secure spots in the main draw. Notable among these are Ajax, predicted to be in pot one, and PSV and Olympiakos, slated for pot two.

However, a face-off between Liverpool and Ajax is unlikely due to both teams occupying the same pot. Instead, Liverpool could cross paths with PSV or Olympiakos.

Among the potential contenders from pot two, Sporting Lisbon is projected to pose the stiffest challenge to Liverpool based on UEFA coefficients.

Should Azerbaijan Premier League champions Qarabag make it through qualification, they would represent Liverpool’s most demanding draw from pot three. Yet, this could change if Braga is eliminated by Panathinaikos, with Marseille taking their place as the highest-coefficient team in pot three.

As it stands, Austrian side Sturm Graz appears to be the toughest potential draw for Liverpool in pot four. However, if Braga falls short in qualification, Maccabi Haifa, boasting a higher coefficient than the Austrian team, would join pot four.

One noteworthy absence from Liverpool’s potential opponents is Brighton, who find themselves in pot three. However, they won’t face Liverpool in the group stage due to both teams hailing from the same national confederation.

Instead, Liverpool could square off against Scottish sides Aberdeen or Rangers, should any of the three be placed in the same draw. A clash with Rangers would revive memories of last season’s Champions League group stage, where Liverpool convincingly won both fixtures by a combined score of 9-1.