Liverpool will be hoping for a favourable Champions League draw when the groups are announced this evening.
The Reds fell short in the final last season to Real Madrid and will be hoping to carry on their good form in Europe in recent years into this year’s competition.
Placed in Pot 2, the Reds could face their final conquerors in the group stages but they could just as easily face a team like Porto, who they’ve had a lot of success against in recent times.
We preview the draw from Liverpool’s perspective to see who Jurgen Klopp’s men could face later this evening, which is live on YouTube from 16:45 UK time.
A reminder of the potential opponents for Liverpool in this afternoon’s Champions League draw.
The Reds are in Pot 2 — what’s your ideal group? pic.twitter.com/yBI7IhC1e9
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) August 25, 2022
What’s the toughest draw?
Last year, the Reds powered through what was a very tough group on paper with Porto, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid and will hope for an easier ride.
However, being in Pot 2 means Liverpool could face any one of Real Madrid, Frankfurt, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, PSG, Porto or Ajax in their group.
A repeat of last year’s final against Madrid could be the toughest option, whilst a new-look PSG look as strong as they’ve ever been whilst Bayern have started the season on fire and also possess former Red Sadio Mane.
They will miss out on playing the likes of Barcelona, RB Leipzig, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla as they are all in Pot 2 with the Reds.
Whereas Pot 3 contains tough tests such as Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen.
Pot 4 contains two Scottish sides in Celtic and Rangers, but the toughest test in that section will most likely be Marseille.
The toughest draw would be a combination of PSG/Madrid/Bayern, Dortmund/Milan/Napoli and Marseille for sure; the competition certainly looks stronger than ever looking at the quality of the teams and Liverpool will likely come up against some really tough opposition.
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🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne#UEFAawards | #UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/LYRcUfXLEg— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 24, 2022
What’s the easiest draw?
Liverpool will be hoping that the weaker teams in Pot 1 are called to give themselves the best chance of finishing top of their group.
Every team in the competition outside of the top Pot will want to face the likes of Frankfurt, Porto and Ajax – who stand as the weakest sides in that section.
All three teams have lost key players and managers in recent times and are not as strong as they were last season.
AC Milan stands as a tougher test than those three teams but still pale in comparison to the elite sides.
In Pot 3, Liverpool will relish the chance to face a Dortmund side without Erling Haaland, with the German side noticeably weaker without their Norweigan front man.
But the likes of Sporting, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Salzburg and Shakhtar are all teams Liverpool will want to see in their group – they offer tough away days but Liverpool became one of only 10 sides to win all six of their group games last season and that will give him confidence facing anyone.
Pot 4 should offer little resistance.
Although a trip to Scotland to face Celtic or Rangers could be either triumphant or highly problematic.
The other teams shouldn’t pose much of a threat.
Dream draw: Porto/Liverpool/Shakhtar/Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Group of death: PSG/Liverpool/Inter Milan/Marseille
Predicted draw: Bayern Munich/Liverpool/Sporting/Rangers