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#7 Sevilla FC
Sevilla caused the shock of the round when they eliminated Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in a stunning fashion at Old Trafford, thanks to a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder, who now has 8 Champions League goals this season. The Spanish side carried an uncanny knack to win games in the Europa League when one would least expect. In fact, they won Europe's second-tier tournament thrice in a row from 2014 to 2016.
This season, they finished second behind Liverpool in the group stages and were second favourites to Manchester United in the round of 16 tie. While their side is not as solid from front to back like it was a few years back, they are still a good side who can score against any opposition on their day, as the Red Devils found out.
The Andalusian side are languishing at 5th in the La Liga with qualification for next season's Champions League looking slim. Thus, Vincenzo Montella's side can be expected to go all in as they take part in their first-ever quarterfinals since the tournament was rebranded in 1992.
#6 Liverpool FC
As Jurgen Klopp said, not many would have bet on Liverpool making it to the quarterfinals when the season began, especially with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United getting knocked out. Nevertheless, the Reds find themselves in the final eight. The free-scoring side have taken a distinct liking for Europe as every team tends to play instead of sitting back, which suits the English side.
Liverpool scored a superb 23 goals in just 6 group games, including seven each at Maribor and against Spartak Moscow at Anfield. In the first knockout round, they put five past FC Porto, effectively finishing the tie at the end of the first 90 minutes. For all the domination, the five-time winners lack European experience and their defensive discipline can become awry every now and then, which will be punished in Europe.
Nonetheless, the front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah can score past anyone, having scored 68 goals among themselves this season. Loris Karius' newfound form and Virgil van Dijk's arrival have steadied the ship and finally, Klopp's managerial pedigree gives them a genuine chance to go all the way if his side manages to turn up in every match from now on.
