Liverpool will head of to Eastern Europe (possibly twice) if they aim to progress through to the Quarter Finals of the Europa League.
At the draw in Switzerland earlier, the draw for the last 32 and last 16 was made at UEFA headquarters.
Damien Comolli was Liverpool’s representative at the draw. Former player Ronnie Whelan, a representative of the Dublin Europa League final, was on there to assist with the draw.
LAST 32:
Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) v Liverpool
LAST 16:
Sparta Prague/Liverpool v Lech Poznan (Poland) /SK Braga (Portugal)
Sparta Prague’s representatives at the draw were clearly overjoyed at drawing one of Europe’s biggest clubs. They are currently second in the league with 37 points from 17 games, and are the Czech Republic’s most decorated team.
Former Liverpool player Patrik Berger finished his playing career at Sparta Prague. He joined in 2008, but sadly retired after suffering ligament damage at the start of this year.
The games played over two legs see the reds with 2nd leg home advantage in the last 32, but should they progress they will play the 1st leg of the last 16 at home.
The reds have not met Sparta Prague or SK Braga in competitive football before.
Lech Poznan and the reds have met in the first round of the European Cup in 1984/85. The reds won 1-0 away before demolishing the Polish side 4-0 at Anfield. A John Wark hat-trick sandwiched around a Paul Walsh goal sealing the game.