“A proper-proper challenge”- Klopp gives his verdict on Liverpool’s UCL draw

Jurgen Klopp believes the UCL draw presents Liverpool with a proper challenge

Last night’s UCL draw saw Liverpool place themselves in Group A alongside AFC Ajax, Napoli and Glasgow Rangers. The Reds have faced Napoli and Ajax very recently in the UCL. Meanwhile, it will be the first time the Merseysiders will face Rangers at the European level.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Jurgen Klopp said all the clubs in the group have
“quality and pedigree” and also mentioned that every single one of the clubs can progress through to the knockout phase.

Liverpool have had a good recent history in the competition, winners once, finalists twice, quarter-finalists once and Round of 16 on one occasion since their return to Europe’s elite club competition in 2017/18. The gaffer would certainly hope to go the distance this time around, after narrowly missing out in the finals last season against Real Madrid.

 “The first thing to say is this is a proper, proper challenge. All of the clubs have quality, they all have pedigree and I would say they all have a chance. The good thing is that we do also, so it makes sense for us to look forward to the challenge and give it a try.”

Liverpool have had a good record against the opponents in their group, apart from Rangers who they haven’t played yet. Against Ajax, the Reds emerged victorious 1-0 on both occasions they came up against each other in the 2020/21 UCL campaign.

The Reds have a mixed bag against Napoli though, winning just one of their last four fixtures against the Italian outfit. The last time the clubs met, the encounter ended in a draw, in the Reds’ title-winning season. Klopp also spoke about the change in format in the UCL this season because of the World Cup scheduled in November.

“The difference this year is that the group stage will be shorter than usual, so we will have to be ready not just for the quality of the opposition but also for the different demands and rhythms.”

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Liverpool would look to make amends for last season’s loss against Real Madrid in the final and hope to emerge victorious this season. The fixture list for the UCL is yet to be released.