Liverpool will travel back to Turkey, and take a trip to Portugal and also visit former player Djibril Cisse.
The reds have been handed a tough group facing 2004 European Champions Porto as well as Djibril Cisse’s new club Marseille. Djib will no doubt be hell bent on showing Benitez he was wrong to discard him. Liverpool will also take on Besiktas of Turkey.
Rick Parry, the reds Chief Executive said.
“We are happy enough. We have happy memories of Istanbul.
“We have proved we are capable of beating anyone on our day and we have a better squad this season.”
Rafa Benitez was cautious.
‘It’s clear when you look at some of the other groups that ours could have been easier’
‘Porto have good experience in the Champions League and have enjoyed a good record over recent seasons. They will be tough opposition for us.
‘Marseille are a good side in the French league and they will know a lot about us which could make it more difficult.
‘And you always know when you go to Turkey that it will be hard because of the travelling involved and the wonderful support they give their teams over there.
‘I am always confident we can qualify but as ever the key will be winning the home games and picking up results away.’
The full draw is as follows:
Group A
LIVERPOOL
Porto
Marseille
Besiktas
Group B
CHELSEA
Valencia
Schalke 04
Rosenborg
Group C
REAL MADRID
Werder Bremen
Lazio
Olympiakos
Group D
AC MILAN
Benfica
Celtic
Shakhtar Donetsk
Group E
BARCELONA
Lyon
Stuttgart
Rangers
Group F
MANCHESTER UNITED
Roma
Sporting Lisbon
Dynamo Kiev
Group G
INTER MILAN
PSV Eindhoven
CSKA Moscow
Fenerbahce
Group H
ARSENAL
Sevilla/AEK Athens
Steau Bucharest
Slavia Prague