Liverpool’s Champions League group breakdown: Dutch champions, a familiar face and first time foes

The 2022/23 Champions League groups have just been finalised!

Liverpool has been drawn into Group A along with Ajax, Napoli and Rangers

Let’s breakdown the Reds group stage opponents:

Ajax

Ajax earned a spot in pot 1 as a result of Real Madrid winning both La Liga and the Champions League.

The Dutch club won the Eredivisie by two points over PSV Eindhoven — their 36th first division trophy.

Ajax won all six of their group stage matches in last year’s Champions League but were eliminated by Benfica in the round of 16. Liverpool and Ajax were in the same group in the 2020/21 Champions League.

Their star man Antony may be on the move to Manchester United as United have put in multiple recent bids. Antony would join former Ajax manager Eric ten Hag in Manchester.

Liverpool’s competitive record vs. Ajax: 2W, 1D, 1L

Napoli

Napoli finished third in Serie A last season.

The Italian side finished second in their Europa League group last season but were eliminated in the knockout round play-offs by Barcelona. Liverpool and Napoli were drawn into the same UCL groups in the 18/19 season and the 19/20 season — a familiar opponent over recent years for the Reds.

Liverpool’s competitive record vs. Napoli: 2W, 2D, 2L

Rangers

The Scottish giants finished second in the Scottish Premiership last season.

Rangers ended a 12-year Champions League drought when they beat PSV Eindhoven in the UCL play-off round to secure a spot in the group stage. They made the Europa League final last season but lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.

Liverpool and Rangers have never played a competitive match.

With the upcoming World Cup being played in November and December, the six UCL group stage matches will all be played within eight weeks.

Matchday 1: September 6/7

Matchday 2: September 13/14

Matchday 3: October 4/5

Matchday 4: October 11/12

Matchday 5: October 25/26

Matchday 6: November 1/2