Liverpool to play Manchester United in last-16, Tottenham drawn against Dortmund

Liverpool, winners in 1973, 1976 and 2001, will welcome Manchester United to Anfield on March 10 before travelling to Old Trafford a week later. This will be a first European meeting between England’s two most decorated clubs.

Tottenham’s reward for overcoming Fiorentina is a testing tie against bookmakers' favourites Borussia Dortmund.

Four-times winners and current holders Sevilla will do battle with 2013 semi-finalists and hosts of this year’s final Basel, while Gary Neville’s Valencia contest an all-Spanish affair with Athletic club.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Anderlecht

FC Basel v Sevilla

Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen

Athletic Bilbao v Valencia

Liverpool v Manchester United

Dortmund v Tottenham

Sparta Prague v Lazio

Fenerbahçe v Braga

This is an absolutely outstanding draw. United-Liverpool is the standout tie of the round and the fact that both are labouring in the league adds to the intrigue and importance of the match up. Elsewhere, many of the round-of-16 ties are finely balanced which, all things being equal, should ensure entertainment.

However, a word of caution looking forward; some of the weaker teams – looking at you Lazio, Sparta Prague, Fenerbahce, and Braga – have been pitted against each other which could dilute the quality of the latter rounds of the competition.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy.