Champions League group stage draw - Liverpool's best, worst and most romantic scenarios
Here, we look at a whole host of potential groups for Liverpool
ByKristian Walsh
13:41, 24 AUG 2017
Anticipation is growing ahead of Liverpool's return to the Champions League, with a whole host of permutations being discuss.
With the Reds situated in pot 3, Jürgen Klopp's side look set for a testing group – with even the 'best-case scenario' offering a tricky trip to Kiev, as well as a showdown with a familiar foe.
Here, we look at a whole host of potential groups for Liverpool – and what it could mean.
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Best case scenario
Shakhtar Donetsk, Porto, Maribor
Pot 1 contains the champions of the eight highest-ranked nations, with Shakhtar one of the poorest. Though Spartak Moscow would arguably be the weakest on the field, the Ukrainian title winners will not play their home games in their home stadium, but instead Kharkiv.
Porto are not the force they once were, while Slovenian champions Maribor represents a decent trip against a side not capable of putting up much resistance to the top sides.
Worst case scenario
Real Madrid, PSG, RB Leipzig
No side would be more difficult that Real Madrid, who became the first team to win successive Champions League titles since the competition's current inception in 1992.
Paris St-Germain might not have won Ligue 1 last season but have been boosted with the £198million arrival of Neymar, with Kylian Mbappe also rumoured to be moving to the French capital.
RB Leipzig is a team Liverpool know all about after this summer, and Naby Keita a player well scouted, and their second place finish in the Bundesliga makes them the team to avoid in pot four.
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Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim
Long distance scenario
Shakhtar Donetsk (2,022 miles), Sevilla (1,584 miles), Qarabag (3,125 miles)
Three trips which would total 13,462 miles travelled, though this would be one of the kinder draws on the field – even Sevilla are no longer the force they were when breaking Liverpool hearts in 2016 – the distance to Ukraine, southern Spain and Azerbaijan is staggering.
The 'narrative' scenario
Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Celtic
Having faced off against Bayern in pre-season – and winning 3-0 – there would be no surprise if the Bundesliga side were drawn with Liverpool from pot one, particularly as it would represent another return to Germany for Klopp.
Barcelona is a club Liverpool have jousted with throughout the summer with their pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, with Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano also returning to Anfield, while Brendan Rodgers would also be a familiar face if Liverpool were to draw Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers would relish a return to Anfield
Brendan Rodgers would relish a return to Anfield (Image: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
The 'gung ho' scenario
Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP
Liverpool have already crafted themselves a reputation for free-flowing football following their 6-3 aggregate win over Hoffenheim, and games with Monaco and Borussia Dortmund could prove absolute slobberknockers.
From pot four, Sporting look capable of some exciting attacking play, particularly after a 5-1 away win against Steaua Bucharest to qualify.
The 'grinding out' scenario
Juventus, Atletico Madrid, APOEL Nicosia
Not every team will approach Liverpool as Hoffenheim did; in fact, there are a number of sides who can be considered defensive specialists.
Juventus have reached two Champions League finals on the basis of their backline solidity, while Diego Simeone has made Atletico one of the hardest sides to beat on the continent.
Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia, meanwhile, have conceded just one goal in their six European games so far this season, and won their domestic league shipping just 24 goals in 36 games.
