BACK WHERE WE BELONG
Henderson backs Liverpool to compete with Europe’s elite
JORDAN HENDERSON insists Liverpool have the talent to take on all-comers in the Champions League as they were handed a European reunion with Sevilla.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten by the Spanish side in the Europa League final two seasons ago, but can still be pleased with a group-stage draw in which they avoided Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
Liverpool will face Russian champions Spartak Moscow and Slovenian title holders Maribor in addition to Sevilla after last night’s draw in Monaco. Captain Henderson says they will go into those matches believing they can reach the competition’s knockout stages for the first time since 2009.
He said: “We have proved that we can play against anyone. There are some brilliant sides in the competition, but we’ll be confident going into the group stages.”
Liverpool are one of five English teams in the group stage for the first time in the
Champions League’s history, and the others had mixed fortunes.
Tottenham were handed the toughest draw. They will face European champions Real Madrid, whose stars include former Spurs favourite Gareth Bale, and German giants Borussia Dortmund in their group, along with Cypriot title winners APOEL.
Chelsea will play Atletico Madrid – the club who want to sign their want-away striker Diego Costa – as well as last season’s Serie A runners-up Roma and Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag.
Europa League winners Manchester United will be optimistic after being drawn with Benfica, Basel and CSKA Moscow.
Neighbours City face Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk. Pep Guardiola’s side will also take on Feyenoord and Napoli.
Celtic face a major battle to make the knockout stages, having been drawn with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Anderlecht.
Liverpool sealed their group-stage spot with a 4-2 win in the second leg of their play-off against Hoffenheim on Wednesday, wrapping up a 6-3 aggregate win.
Henderson said: “It was a huge night to get back into the Champions League, where we belong.”