Liverpool’s seeding in the Champions League this season could see Jurgen Klopp’s men placed into an unfavourable ‘Group of death’ scenario.
Last season The Reds rode the crest of an unstoppable wave as they saw off the likes of Manchester City, Porto and Roma to reach the European Cup final. They ultimately fell short in the showpiece event, falling victim to a superb individual display from Gareth Bale as Real Madrid won 3-1 to secure their 3rd successive crown.
However, Liverpool supporters will be optimistic they can go one better this year, having strengthened over the summer with the arrivals of Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita, Alisson and Fabinho.
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According to The Liverpool Echo, they will kick off their latest campaign for glory in Europe on September 18th, but the seeding for the Group stage draw has already begun to fall into shape.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 1, 2018
Ideally, the Reds want to end up seeded in Pot 2, but their fate will hinge on Benfica’s final qualifying round result against Fenerbahce over two legs in the next couple of weeks. If Benfica manages to win, they will push Klopp’s team back into Pot 3, which could leave them facing a nightmare Group stage draw to contend with.
The Echo reports that Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan could await for Liverpool if they do indeed end up as third seeds, which would make the start to their season that much more difficult and demanding.
Supporters will hope that the club ends up with the more favourable possible draw of Lokomotiv Moscow, Salzburg and Viktoria Plzen, by starting as second seeds, but they must now face an anxious wait as qualifying continues into August.