SPARTA TIE TO TEST US SAYS KLOPP

LIVERPOOL will have to survive a “proper test” if they are to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will hope for first silverware of the season at Wembley tomorrow in the Carabao Cup final.

But 11 days later they will travel to take on Sparta Prague after being drawn against them in the last 16.

And Klopp said: “At this stage of European competition it makes sense to expect a proper test and this is what we have got. Sparta Prague earned their place in the last 16 with a sensational game and result against Galatasaray (Angelo Preciado celebrates scoring for Sparta, above).

“The Czech league tells us what a good season Sparta are having – I am pretty sure they have lost only once – so we will have to be ready.

“There is a lot of football to be played before then but in the back of our minds we will also know that we have another exciting Europa League tie to look forward to.”

Roberto De Zerbi is heading home when he takes Brighton to Italy to face Roma and an old friend in manager Daniele De Rossi (right).

De Zerbi said: “It’s a tough game but if we want to go far in the Europa League we have to win.

“De Rossi is my friend. Our daughters are big friends and I have great respect for him. I knew before he worked at Roma that he could be a great coach because as a player he showed incredible character.

“He feels football like me, he has a big heart, he is a passionate person and we are friends. But I hope to win.”

West Ham will play their first leg against Freiburg in Germany.

In the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa could run into a familiar face after being drawn against Jordan Henderson’s Ajax.

Villa boss Unai Emery said: “We are excited. They are a big and very successful club. We played AZ Alkmaar before and more or less it could be the same travelling and the same idea and style as Netherlands teams have a similar idea of playing football.”

Europa League draw: Sparta Prague v Liverpool, Marseille v Villarreal, Roma v Brighton, Benfica v Rangers, Freiburg v West Ham, Sporting Lisbon v Atalanta, AC Milan v Slavia Prague, Qarabag v Bayer Leverkusen.

Europa Conference League draw: Servette v Viktoria Plzen, Ajax v Aston Villa, Molde v Club Bruges, Union Saint-Gilloise v Fenerbahce, Dinamo Zagreb v PAOK, Sturm Graz v Lille, Maccabi Haifa v Fiorentina, Olympiakos v Maccabi Tel Aviv. All ties on March 7 and 14.