Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that this season’s Champions League tests against Napoli and Ajax will not get any easier after recent ties against both.
The Reds face familiar foes in the Italian side and the Eredivisie champions in this term’s group stage. Liverpool played Napoli twice on their way to a sixth European triumph in 2019.
And Klopp’s side took six points off Ajax in the 2020/21 group stages with two 1-0 wins that campaign.
There are also exciting challenges against fellow British side Rangers to look forward to.
Reacting to Liverpool’s Champions League draw, Klopp firstly labelled this season’s Group A a “proper, proper challenge”.
He added that the main “difference” this time around will be the shorter schedule. With the World Cup splitting the season in two chunks, six Champions League matchdays will take place in nine weeks – not the usual 12.
Klopp reacts to Liverpool Champions League draw
“All of the clubs have quality, they all have pedigree and I would say they all have a chance,” Klopp said. “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.
“We did not ask for any favours and we have not been given any but this is not a competition where you can look for easy ways through because the standard is always unbelievably high.
“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.”
Klopp added that Liverpool found their previous clashes with Ajax “really tough”. The German also remarked that Napoli – who beat Liverpool in Italy in 2018/19 – will teach his side more new lessons.
On Rangers, the Liverpool manager noted there are some familiar faces in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s ranks – despite the unfamiliarity of the opponent.
“Rangers are a new opponent for us but we know them, too,” Klopp said. “Their story over the last few years has been really interesting and they did really, really well to qualify for the group stage, given the teams they were up against in the qualifying matches.
“We also know a couple of their players well. Ryan Kent has had a great development since moving to Scotland and Ben Davies is just starting out on his journey with Rangers, so it will be good to come up against them.”
Reds need good Champions League start
Amid Liverpool’s poor Premier League form so far, they need the Champions League to be a good distraction.
Two draws and a defeat – the latter to Manchester United no less – have heaped the pressure on Klopp’s men to respond.
And they have three more league matches before their Champions League campaign gets underway.
The official schedule will be confirmed in the coming days, but given how Liverpool have started the season, a different competition seemingly cannot come soon enough.
Having said that, the injuries have piled up for the Anfield club in recent weeks. Klopp will hope to have some of his star players back by the time the club return to Europe.