LIVERPOOL: Champions League football will return to Anfield for the first time in five years on Tuesday when Liverpool host Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad in their opening Group B fixture.
It was December 2009 when Liverpool last played a match in Europe's elite competition, losing 2-1 at home to Fiorentina, and the only two survivors from that game in their squad are Martin Skrtel and captain Steven Gerrard.
Four years in the wilderness followed – the legacy of finishing seventh, sixth, eighth and seventh in the Premier League – before last season's thrilling title tilt catapulted the five-time European champions back into the big time.
"We can't wait to get going,” said Gerrard. “It is exciting as we worked really hard last season to get into the top four and now we get rewarded for that by being in the Champions League this year.”
With Basel and defending champions Real Madrid the other teams in the group, Liverpool have extra incentive to mark their return to the competition with what would be their 100th win in the European Cup.
But although Ludogorets are making their first appearance in the group phase and have never played in England before, there is nothing to suggest they will accept the role of sacrificial lambs.
"It is tough company, no doubt about it," said Ludogorets coach Georgi Dermendzhiev. "We have already achieved a lot, but it is in the past. Now we are looking forward to the group stage."
Crisis-hit Real need Basel bounce-back
Having finally ended a 12-year wait to land their 10th European Cup, few imagined Real Madrid would start their defence of the Champions League in a state of crisis.
Less than four months after beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time in the final in Lisbon, Real are in need of a strong response when Swiss champions Basel visit the Spanish capital on Tuesday after Atletico inflicted their second consecutive league defeat with a 2-1 victory in Saturday's derby.
"The fans always know best and if they think they have to boo then you have to accept it and respect their opinion," said Casillas. "The way to respond is training well and playing good football."
Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez will make their Champions League debuts for the club despite both World Cup stars failing to fill the shoes of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria in their short stints at the club so far.
Arsenal look to repeat Dortmund trick
Arsenal will meet Dortmund in the Champions League for the second season running. Last time around, the German giants won 2-1 in London, but an Aaron Ramsey goal handed the Gunners a 1-0 victory at the Signal Iduna Park.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere is expecting an entertaining game with Dortmund.
"They're always good games when we face them [Dortmund]," said Wilshere. "It's a tough game and we go there first this time, so the hardest match of the group will be the first one.”
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