Rick Parry: No easy options in Champions League group stages

Aug 30 2007

LIVERPOOL drew Porto as their main rivals in the group stages of this year’s UEFA Champions League.

The Reds were drawn into Group A along with Porto, Marseille and Turkish outfit, Besiktas.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry believes there was no easy options in this year's draw.

He insists the quality is evenly spread across each of the groups and has backed his side to continue their fine recent record in the competition.

He told Sky Sports News: "You wouldn't look at any group and say 'We want that one'. They are all much of a muchness. We're capable of beating anyone on our day.

"We've won the competition and lost in the final so we know on our day we can do it."

Parry also insisted manager Rafael Benitez was unlikely to add any more players to his squad before the transfer window closes tomorrow and instead looked forward to facing some former players.

"We've very happy with the squad we've got. I'm pretty certain we've finished our business," he added.

"We've started well this season and there's a buzz about the place, a determination.
"But we look forward to renewing acquaintances with two Liverpool old boys - Djibril Cisse and Bolo Zenden - at Marseille.

"And, of course, we have happy memories of Istanbul too."

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United have been reunited with the sides they beat in last season’s quarter-finals.

Manchester United have been drawn in Group F alongside Italian side Roma, who they beat 7-1 in the quarter-final second leg last season. 

Jose Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, face Primera Liga team Valencia in Group B - the side they faced in the last eight last season, drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge before a last-minute Michael Essien goal in the return fixture earned them a place in the semi-final.

United’s group is completed by Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev and Chelsea will face Rosenborg and FC Schalke.

Arsenal will play one of Sevilla or AEK Athens - who will contest the second leg of their qualifier on September 3 following the death of the Spanish side’s Antonio Puerta - as well as Steaua Bucharest and Slavia Prague in Group H.

The draw was made this afternoon at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.