Jurgen Klopp says the level of quality that is in the Champions League this season is ‘crazy’ as he seeks to play down expectations on his side ahead of the new European campaign kicking off.
Just a couple of months ago, the Reds were crowned champions of Europe in Madrid, and the draw for the 2019/20 group stages is to come at 5pm BST this evening.
Via the Liverpool ECHO, Klopp said: “We haven’t really thought about the Champions League, but at one point someone told me a little bit about the groups and what could happen and I don’t think there was ever a stronger Pot 2.
“It is just crazy. They should all be in Pot 1, but there is not enough space there. I don’t think there was ever a stronger Pot 3. If people really think about this kind of Super League, then you don’t need it. That’s it. Then Pot 4 you can get RB Leipzig – wow! The groups will be incredible.
“I have no clue who will win the Champions League. We have the same chance like everyone else, but that is all, and no I don’t see us, the English teams, dominating.”
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Klopp has sought to play down the Reds’ chances of winning the Champions League again, but no matter what he says, as current holders, the expectation will always be there that the club will go far.
He added: “I will have no problem with it [reaching the final] if it happens again, but at this moment I am not too sure it will happen.”
How long those expectations will be able to be played down, time will tell, but pick up wins against top teams right from the start of the tournament as the Reds did last year, and the talk of them retaining the trophy will only intensify.
Whoever the Reds get in the group stages, they can be confident of progressing – every team will be fearing being put in the same group as Klopp’s men.