Manchester United and Liverpool, English football’s two most decorated clubs, will face each other in the last 16 of the Europa League, extending a rivalry dating back to the 19th century into European competition for the first time.
The arch-rivals have won 38 league titles between them as well as eight European Cups, yet both are struggling in the Barclays Premier League this season and are unlikely to relish being pitted against each other at this stage of the competition.
Liverpool and United first played each other more than 120 years ago, but they have never faced off in European competition, adding an extra dimension to what past experience suggests is likely to be a feisty encounter.
United hold the upper hand in recent meetings and have completed back-to-back league doubles over their rivals, with Liverpool yet to record a victory against United manager, Louis van Gaal.
Reds boss, Jurgen Klopp, says he is delighted Liverpool were drawn against Manchester.
“It’s great. We deserve these games,” Klopp said.
“Obviously it is not easy but you can ask my staff but when they asked me yesterday who I wanted, I said ‘Man United’.
“I think we have to clear something. We had a good game when we lost 1-0 but it was not what we deserved.
“It gives us a chance to make it better and that is what we will try to do.”
Friday’s Europa League draw produced other mouth-watering ties.
Bookmakers’ favourites, Borussia Dortmund, were handed a tricky route into the last eight against Tottenham Hotspur, second in the Premier League behind Leicester City.
Holders, Sevilla, chasing a third successive title, will play Basel, while Valencia, who have enjoyed a recent resurgence by winning their last four games under English coach, Gary Neville, face an all-Spanish tie against Athletic Bilbao.
The two-legged ties will be played March 10 and 17.
Europa League Round of 16 draw
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Anderlecht
Basel vs. Sevilla
Villarreal vs. Leverkusen
Athletic vs. Valencia
Liverpool vs. Man. United
Sparta Praha vs. Lazio
Dortmund vs. Tottenham
Fenerbahçe vs. Braga
