Liverpool get Benfica in Europa League

Three-time winners Liverpool face a tricky Europa League quarter-final against Benfica after Friday’s draw.

Rafa Benitez’s team, who last won the UEFA Cup in 2001 after two previous successes in 1973 and 1976, will start as favourites in their bid to claim some silverware after missing out on the FA Cup, Champions League and almsot certainly the English Premiership title this season.

Benitez expects tough test from Benfica

Fulham, stunning victors over Juventus in the last 16 phase, face German club Wolfsburg, while Hamburg play Belgian outfit Standard Liege.

The fourth quarter-final pitches Valencia against fellow La Liga club Atletico Madrid, with the winner playing either Benfica or Liverpool in the semi-final.

The other semi-final will see the winner of the Hamburg v Standard Liege tie playing either Fulham or Wolfsburg.

The inaugural Europa League final takes place in Hamburg on May 12.

Benfica (POR) v Liverpool (ENG)

Fulham (ENG) v Wolfsburg (GER)

Hamburg (GER) v Standard Liege (BEL)

Valencia (ESP) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

1st leg – April 1

2nd leg – April 8

Semi-finals (ties to be played April 22 and 29)

Hamburg/Standard Liege v Fulham/Wolfsburg

Valencia/Atletico Madrid v Benfica/Liverpool

Final: May 12, Hamburg