FUMING fans have accused the Europa League draw of being “rigged” as they predicted Liverpool and Bayern Leverkusen will cruise into the final.
While the draw was bad news for West Ham who drew high-flying Leverkusen, Liverpool have a slightly easier tie against Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
The Hammers are on a quest for a second consecutive European success.
But David Moye’s squad will face Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side who are on a 37-game unbeaten run.
While for Klopp, he will be hoping for a send-off to remember if his side can continue their journey by getting past Italian side Atalanta.
Should Liverpool win they will face either Benfica or Marseille and if Leverkusen or West Ham win they will face AC Mian or Roma in the semi-final.
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With both Liverpool and Leverkusen in terrific form this term fans are convinced the teams will end up facing each other in the final.
Some even went as far as to say the whole draw was “rigged” to make sure Klopp got his Liverpool farewell in a European final.
And if it comes against Leverkusen, in Alonso he would come up against the man many believe will replace him at Anfield.
One fan on X said: “So the Europa League is fixed for a Liverpool vs Leverkusen final then.”
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Another supporter who agreed added: “They rigged the Europa draw for Klopp farewell😭😭😭.”
While a West Ham fan did not seem too happy about the draw: “I knew we’d get them or Liverpool fixed these draws lpool had easy group easy round of 16 and got easiest team left in the quarters.”
There is no evidence and no suggestion the draw was fixed.
Leverkusen boss Alonso does not think the journey will be so swift as they scraped wins with stunning injury-time strikes in both legs against Qarabag.
Alonso said: “Every team would have been tough.
“We know West Ham were successful in the Conference League last season.
“They have top players and we are excited for the Quarter Finals against a good team.”
The first legs of the quarter-final ties will take place on April 11 before the return fixtures are completed the following week on April 18.
Following those intense ties the semi-finals will take place on May 2 and May 9 with an all-English final on the cards.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
