Premier League leaders Liverpool have drawn Czech side Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the Europa League, while Bundesliga front-runners Bayer Leverkusen will play Azerbaijan's Qarabag.
Jurgen Klopp, who will leave Liverpool in summer, is eager to lead his side to win their overall fourth title of the event, which he has never won during his nine years helm with the Reds.
A view of the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 draw results at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, February 23, 2024. /CFP
Europa Conference League holders West Ham United will face the German side Freiburg, while last season's runners-up AS Roma will play against Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton & Hove Albion.
Spain's Villarreal, the 2020-21 champions, were paired with the French Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille in the draw held in Nyon, Switzerland.
Italy's AC Milan have drawn Slavia Prague, Portuguese league leaders Benfica will play Scottish Premiership table-toppers Rangers, and the Portuguese side Sporting will face Serie A's Atalanta in the other ties.
The Europa Conference League draw was also made on Friday, with Aston Villa set to face Ajax Amsterdam. This marks Villa's first season in Europe since the 2010-11 campaign.
The Europa League round of 16 draw is as follows: Teams mentioned first will host the first leg, scheduled to take place on March 7, except for the fixture of Sporting vs Atalanta, which will be played two days earlier. The second-leg matches are scheduled for the following weekend.
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool
Olympique de Marseille vs Villarreal
AS Roma vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Benfica vs Rangers
Freiburg vs West Ham United
Sporting vs Atalanta
AC Milan vs Slavia Prague
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
(With input from Reuters)