Everything you need to know about Liverpool's Europa League opponents Sparta Prague

Liverpool were handed one of the more favourable Europa League ties available to them and will face Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the competition. 

The Reds managed to avoid clashes with Milan, Roma and Marseille as they were drawn against the Czech side in their first knockout Europa League tie since 2016.

However, despite a seemingly straightforward match-up, Liverpool will need to be wary of Sparta, who have already faced off against some tough sides in this season's competition.

With two intriguing matches to come in March, let's take a closer look at Liverpool's last 16 opponents.

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HOW DID SPARTA PRAGUE MAKE THE LAST 16?

Sparta beat city rivals Slavia Prague to the Fortuna Liga title last season by two points, actually securing them a spot in the qualifying rounds of this year's Champions League.

However, defeat to Copenhagen meant that they dropped into the Europa League preliminary rounds, beating Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb to secure passage to the group stage.

Sparta were then drawn into a challenging group that contained Spanish side Real Betis, Cypriot outfit Aris Limassol and 2022 Europa League finalists Rangers.

The Czech champions lost away at Real Betis and Rangers, but managed to finish second in their group regardless following three victories.

Sparta came up against the tricky Turkish giants Galatasaray in the last 32 - a side that picked up four points against Manchester United in this season's Champions League group stage - and managed to overturn a first leg deficit thanks to a 4-1 victory in Prague.

HOW ARE SPARTA PRAGUE PERFORMING THIS SEASON?

It will be another battle with rivals Slavia for the Fortuna Liga crown this season, with Sparta currently top by four points after 21 matches.

They have only lost one league match this season - a 3-1 defeat to mid-table Mlada Boleslav - and are facing a clash with Slavia Prague in the quarter-final of the Czech Cup.

They boast the Fortuna Liga's sternest defence and most fruitful attack, conceding under a goal a game and scoring over two per match.

Sparta also kept home clean sheets against Real Betis and Rangers in the Europa League group stage.

HAVE LIVERPOOL PLAYED SPARTA PRAGUE BEFORE?

Liverpool have only played four games against Czech opponents, two of which came against Sparta. The meetings also took place in the Europa League during the hardship of the post-Rafa Benitez era.

Sir Kenny Dalglish led Liverpool to a win and a draw during the 2010/11 round of 32, the latter a goalless affair at the epet Arena that saw David N'Gog leading the line and a centre-back trio of Jamie Carragher, Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Danny Wilson.

The return fixture was a narrow 1-0 win for the Reds at Anfield that sent them to the last 16 courtesy of a late Dirk Kuyt strike.

The Reds would go on to lose to Braga in the next round, but comparing that Liverpool team to Jurgen Klopp's side seems almost pointless.

WHAT IS SPARTA PRAGUE'S EUROPA LEAGUE RECORD?

Since being rebranded as the Europa League, Sparta have made it past the qualifying rounds of the competition on nine occasions.

Their best ever performance came in 2015/16 when they reached the quarter-final - the same year Liverpool made the final but lost to Sevilla - but were dumped out by Villarreal, who the Reds beat in the semi-final of that year's competition.

This is only the fifth time they have made it beyond the group stage and the first occasion since 2016/17, where they were hammered by FC Rostov over two legs in the last 32.

Sparta have never lifted a European trophy before and are unlikely to change that this season.