All the Europa League questions answered

Europa League Q&A: can Everton FC draw Liverpool FC in the last 32?

All the Europa League questions answered as the Blues prepare for the last 32



Everton FC fans have had a blast on their Europa League adventure so far - but interest has been further piqued with Liverpool's failure in the Champions League.

Following a third-place finish in their Champions League group, Brendan Rodgers' side are now in the Europa League - as an unseeded team, no less - opening up the possibility of a Merseyside derby in Europe.

But when can the Blues draw the Reds? And how does the last 32 look to be shaping up for them overall?

What stage have Everton qualified for?

They are in the last 32 - which means there is still a potential eight games to play until reaching the final in Warsaw on May 27.

Will they be seeded?

After confirming their spot at the top of their group with a win over Wolfsburg, the Blues will be one of 16 seeded teams. They seeded teams are made up of the 12 Europa League group winners and the four best Champions League dropouts.

Can they face Liverpool?

The big question. Not in the last 32, no, despite LFC being unseeded for the draw. There will be country protection for that stage of the competition, so no Tottenham either, regardless of where they finish. They could face them from the last 16 onwards - although there are no seedings at that point.

So who could they face?

It's hard to determine with the Europa League yet to be concluded.

Teams who have also topped the group, and therefore avoided already, are: Red Bull Salzburg, Dynamo Moscow, Inter Milan, Fiorentina.

Teams who will definitely finish second, and therefore could face Everton, are PSV Eindhoven and Celtic.

But the Blues could still face teams such as Villarreal, Torino, Besiktas, Sevilla or Sparta Prague as things stand.

When is the draw?

The draw will be held on December 15.

When will the games be played?

The first legs will be played on February 19 2015, and the second legs will be played a week later on February 26 2015. The seeded teams would be at home second.

Best case scenario?

Celtic. A great trip up to Scotland.

Worst case scenario?

If Sevilla finish second, the holders would be a very tricky tie in the last 32.

By Kristian Walsh / Echo