Monte Carlo: Brendan Rodgers admitted he was already dreaming of Real Madrid’s visit to Anfield after Liverpool were drawn on Thursday to face the holders on their return to the Champions League. Rodgers whetted supporters’ appetite for a double header against the 10-times European champions in October and November, Liverpool’s reward for ending their five-year exile from the elite of club football.
Speaking after a welcome draw that also paired his side with Basle and Bulgarian rookies Ludogorets in Group B, the Liverpool manager told his club’s official website: “To be back in it again, no matter who we were going to play, it was always going to be exciting. But to have Real Madrid in your group, the champions last season, is going to be special. “I’m already thinking of Anfield on that night. It’s a tough group but we’ll really look forward to the challenge of getting out of the group. I’ll be very proud but more proud for the players and the supporters, for what they have put into us arriving there.
“The nights at Anfield are really special. To see that flag back out in the middle of the pitch and for the supporters to get behind their team like they do is going to be an amazing experience.” Chief executive Ian Ayre said: “The place will be absolutely rocking, as it always has been in those sorts of fixtures. We firmly believe, the manager believes, everyone, the owners, believes this where Liverpool belongs, and long may it continue.” Liverpool have won all three meetings with Real, including the 1981 European Cup final and a 2009 Champions League tie — 5-0 on aggregate. But that was in the days before Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale joined the Madrid giants. “I was not there,” Ronaldo proclaimed last night. “We are a different team, different coach. Liverpool are different too, so let’s see who’s going to be the best.” If Liverpool avoided a nightmare draw, the same could not be said for Manchester City, who landed Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Roma in Group E.
It is the second successive season City have been paired with Bayern and CSKA and the fourth they have faced a tough task to qualify. But director of football Txiki Begiristain believes manager Manuel Pellegrini has everything at his disposal to do that and more following more mega-money arrivals at the Etihad. “We have a good squad - good enough to fight for everything,” he said. “We’ve improved the team just for that, keeping our chances to win in the domestic competitions and then to be stronger in Europe.” City finally reached the knockout stage last season but their failure to win their group meant they were drawn to face Barcelona.
Begiristain admitted it was crucial they finished top this time and claimed there was no reason why they could not go all the way. “We have to aspire to this. There are five, six, eight clubs that can do it as well. But, if they can do it, why can’t Manchester City do it?” The trip to CSKA may prove particularly daunting following the racist abuse suffered there last season. Like City, Arsenal and Chelsea drew the same German opponents for the second season in a row, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke respectively. Arsenal are also acutely aware of the importance of winning their group after failing to do so left them playing Bayern in the last two years, losing both times.
