SOCCER:LIVERPOOL WILL face Sparta Prague in the Europa League round of 32, while Manchester City meet Aris Thessaloniki and Rangers take on Sporting Lisbon.

Both Premier League sides should be confident of making the last 16 following yesterday’s draw, but the Scottish Premier League champions Rangers have a tougher-looking test in Sporting Lisbon.

Roberto Mancini’s City will be aware Aris stunned the holders Atletico Madrid in the group stage – winning 3-2 away, a result which ultimately knocked the Spanish side out of the competition.

Liverpool may have been the draw specialists in the group phase, having tied four of their six games, but in Sparta they will face a side who have proved equally difficult to beat, having drawn three of their group matches.

If they get through, City will face Besiktas or Dynamo Kiev in the last 16, while Liverpool would face Lech Poznan or Braga. If Rangers progress, they would face Lille or PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has pledged to field his strongest team. Having rested many of his big names in the group stage, Hodgson accepts he cannot afford to leave out Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres when they return to European action after a two-month break. “By that stage we’ll be playing three matches a week and I won’t have the luxury I have had so far of sometimes sparing players in the Europa League,” he said.