Europa League rankings: Liverpool falls behind of being the favourites despite die minute victory over Dortmund.

Liverpool's win over Borussia Dortmund was everything you could have wanted in a football match - epic atmosphere, attacking football, ups, downs, and eventually that stoppage-time winner.

The Reds find themselves in the final four and, having arguably beaten the best side in the competition, they're suddenly eyeing a trophy and the Champions League spot that comes with it.
Sevilla may have something to say about that though, having won it for the last two years. Nobody has ever done the 'threepeat'.

Villarreal may consider themselves to have a good chance too, with fourth place in La Liga virtually secure and only Europe to concentrate on.
Or Shakhtar Donetsk, a Champions League dropout that nobody has kept an eye on. Except us, of course, and our Europa League power rankings.

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AUSTRIA ERSTE LIGA:

FAC Wien - LASK Linz                        2win                          

Kapfenberg - Wacker Innsbruck      1win                          

Liefering - A. Klagenfurt        1win                            

Neustadt - A. Lustenau         over1                                    

A. Salzburg - St. Polten         2win

AZERBAIJAN PREMIER LEAGUE:

Gabala – Ravan          1win

BELGIUM JUPILER LEAGUE:

Gent – Oostende       over 1

BULGARIA A PFG:

Ludogorets - Cherno More   1win

Note: the power rankings are done in order of anticipated likelihood to win the competition and qualify for the next round, taking into account both long-term results and recent performances. The idea is that too much should never be read into any single result.

4. Shakhtar Donetsk

The Ukrainian champions have overcome what, in a massive understatement, we could call a 'difficult' domestic situation to reach the final four.
Having been outclassed by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League group where they never really had a chance, they have nonetheless proven their level in the Europa League.
When you think of the success of some of the club's recent sales - Fernandinho, Willian, Douglas Costa - it puts it into perspective just how good Shakhtar have been at buying quality players.
The next wave could shock the Europa League.

3. Villarreal

 

This is not an underappreciation of Villarreal, who are an excellent side that play brilliant football, but an understanding of the strength left in the Europa League.
Having proven themselves as a better side than Sevilla in La Liga this season, the fact remains that Unai Emery's knack of winning knockout games sets him apart and he's already got another cup final to look forward to this season.
Make no mistake, whoever draws the Yellow Submarine could easily see themselves sunk.

2. Liverpool

Momentum is with Liverpool, and after that incredible night against Dortmund those players must feel like there's no-one they can't beat.
That said, they're obviously a flawed side and if their level dips even a bit then they could be exposed.
Jurgen Klopp's rebuild has barely even started, and this may have come a little bit early for his Reds revolution.

1. Sevilla

Try and stop these guys: Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro celebrates with his teammates

With back-to-back Europa Leagues under Unai Emery you'd be mad not to make the Nervionenses favourites for this year's tournament.
While their Champions League campaign was cut short by a tough group, they've proven their mettle (again!) by eliminating tough teams in UEFA's second-tier competition and held their nerve to win a penalty shoot-out late on Thursday night.
Already awaiting a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, this team are cup specialists and remain the side to beat.

CREDIT:http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/europa-league-power-rankings-liverpool-7761498