The Champions League draw takes place on Thursday 27th August. As with all draws, there will be fans who feel blessed and those who feel hard done by. So, here’s a look at the best- and worst-case scenarios for Liverpool ahead of this season's draw.
Best-Case scenario
Pot 1 – Inter Milan & Atlético Madrid
While facing elite Pot 1 opposition is unavoidable, the pairing of Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid represents the best-case scenario among the top teams.
Inter Milan have plenty of Champions League pedigree, having won the tournament three times, but when compared to the likes of PSG, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, they can be considered the favorable draw.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans will have mixed memories of Atlético Madrid, but at least they know what to expect. While Diego Simeone’s side retains its customary physicality and passion, their form has dipped over the past season; they finished fourth in LaLiga, behind Villarreal as well as both halves of El Clásico.
Pot 2 – Club Brugge & PSV Eindhoven
The Belgian and Dutch champions represent the ideal outcome from Pot 2. Both sides perform well domestically, but they have rarely provided any shocks in Europe in recent years.
Pot 3 – Bodø/Glimt & Shakhtar Donetsk
Steering clear of dangerous mid-tier European sides is the name of the game in Pot 3, so Bodø/Glimt and Shakhtar Donetsk offer the ideal scenario.
They might have been giant-killers last year with their frosty conditions and artificial pitch, but it is unlikely that Bodø/Glimt will repeat that feat.
Meanwhile, Shakhtar offer the added benefit of convenient travel. The Ukrainian club will be playing their Champions League fixtures at Stamford Bridge this season, allowing the Reds more rest than if they had to travel far abroad.
Pot 4 – LASK & Sabah
When it comes to Pot 4 teams, the Reds should be expected to beat whoever they draw, but LASK and Sabah offer the easiest route to victory.
Sabah, only the second team from Azerbaijan to qualify for the Champions League, were only founded in 2017. For context, Liverpool had already won the tournament five times over by that point. It would be a near 5,000-mile trip, but they are likely the weakest team on paper.
As for LASK, the Austrian side pulled off a miraculous four-goal deficit recovery against Celtic to qualify for the Champions League, but performances like that are few and far between.
Worst-Case Scenario
Pot 1 – PSG & Barcelona
By virtue of being an English club, the Reds cannot face domestic rivals in the group stage. Thus, both Arsenal and Manchester City are ineligible from Pot 1. Nevertheless, drawing PSG and Barcelona is the ultimate nightmare.
The French giants are two-time defending champions for a reason, while Hansi Flick’s side now boasts high-calibre talent all over the pitch, headlined by the World Cup’s Player of the Tournament, Rodri, and Young Player of the Tournament, Pau Cubarsí.
Pot 2 – Borussia Dortmund & Porto
While unable to draw either Manchester United or Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto can provide stern tests.
Dortmund might not possess the same quality as in previous years, but they can nevertheless cause an opponent problems. Porto, on the other hand, also pose a threat. Their home stadium, Estádio do Dragão, is known to be a fortress - one of Europe's most notoriously hostile venues. If Liverpool draw them away from home, they can expect a frosty reception.
Pot 3 – Napoli & RB Leipzig
The Reds would have to be unlucky to draw both Napoli and RB Leipzig from Pot 3, but then again, that’s why this is the worst-case scenario.
The Naples outfit is historically a thorn in Liverpool’s side. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are a consistent Champions League knockout-stage team decorated with plenty of top talent who can punish any team on their day.
Pot 4 – Como & Lens
Pot 4 is supposed to offer easy points for a team like Liverpool, but Como and Lens present potential banana skins.
Cesc Fàbregas is running an exciting operation with the Italian side, spearheaded by the effervescent Nico Paz. Qualifying for the tournament for the first time, they will be keen to make their presence felt.
Lens, too, could spell trouble. Last season, the French side ran perennial champions PSG close to finish second in Ligue 1, and they currently hold both the French Cup and Supercup.
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