Jurgen Klopp’s side saw off LASK 3-1 away in Linz for the campaign opener, before a 2-0 home win over Union Saint-Gilloise. The tie with Toulouse on matchday three of the tournament will see the Reds play all their Group E opponents, before the reverse fixtures which run until 14 December.
It’s been a very solid start from Liverpool, with Klopp insisting his side intend to take Europe’s second tier competition very seriously, after a sever-year absence. Favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time, Liverpool fans will be relatively confident of making the short trip across the Irish Sea for the final in Dublin next May.
But how soon can the Reds book their place in the knockout rounds of the Europa League?
WHEN AND HOW DO LIVERPOOL QUALIFY FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGE? Should the Reds see off Toulouse home and away in their next two fixtures, they will have 12 points – the maximum possible from four games and a tally that will secure qualification regardless of other teams’ results.
Klopp’s men may even be confirmed as group winners with two games to spare, but this will only happen if the Reds beat their French opponents twice and Union Saint-Gilloise fail to earn six points against LASK.
Winning the group is a massive advantage in the Europa League, as it means bypassing the preliminary knockout round and going straight to the last 16. HOW DO THE EUROPA LEAGUE KNOCKOUTS WORK?
Unlike in the Champions League, there is an extra stage in the Europa League for the group runners-up to face.
After the group phase, the eight second-placed teams play a preliminary knockout round in which they are paired against one of the third-placed teams from the Champions League. The winners then take a spot in the Europa League last 16. Group winners, of course, are exempt from this round and are secure in their passage to the last 16.
Other than that, the competition follows the traditional format, with all ties taking place over two legs (home and away) until the single event final.
EUROPA LEAGUE KNOCKOUT ROUND DATES However, group runners-up face their playoff with the Champions League dropouts in February.
Preliminary knockout round – 15-22 February 2024 The remaining rounds will be drawn together on 15 March. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE FINAL?
Conveniently for Liverpool fans, the final is to be held at the 51,000-capacity Aviva Stadium in Dublin – a short trip across the Irish Sea – on Wednesday, 22 May.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE LIVERPOOL WON THE EUROPA LEAGUE? The Reds have previously lifted the trophy in 1973 (under Bill Shankly), 1976 (Bob Paisley) and, most recently, 2001 (Gerard Houllier).
The Europa League remains the one major trophy Jurgen Klopp has competed in as Liverpool manager but never won.
The 56-year-old took the Reds to the final in his maiden season at Anfield in 2016, but ultimately lost 3-1 to Sevilla in Switzerland.
Liverpool are aiming to make it three wins from win at the halfway stage of the Europa League group phase as they take on Toulouse this Thursday.
Liverpool could secure their spot in the knockouts on Thursday as early as matchday four (Thursday, 9 November), if results go their way.
Should Liverpool be confirmed as Group E winners when the stage is completed in December, they won’t have to play another Thursday night fixture until March when the round of 16 starts.
Last 16 – 7-14 March 2024
Quarter-finals – 11-18 April 2024
Semi-finals – 2-9 May 2024
Final – 22 May 2024
The draw dates for he preliminary round will take place on 18 December, while the last 16 draw is scheduled for 23 February.
Liverpool are aiming to make it four Europa League (or UEFA Cup to give it its old name) wins this season.
