No easy games in this group. Porto always seem to find themselves in the last 16 at least. Hopefully not again this season. Athletico Madrid are a really strong team and a nightmare to play against. AC Milan are a huge name that everyone will be up for, and then we will blow them away because they are actually not all that good.
We genuinely owe Atlético for the last exit from this competition for it was then that Anfield’s long running invincibility was shattered. I’d also be wary of both AC Milan and Porto. These are teams with Champions League pedigree and will make life uncomfortable for us.
Milan have the name but they’re far from the team we fought with in ‘05/‘07 or as majestic as they were in the 90s. Plus they’ve lost their keeper to PSG(?). They did have a good finish to the end of their seasoning Serie A, but let’s not forget, Ole and his crowd did ‘em over 2 legs in the Europa League. Not certain how long since they’ve been in the CL. I wouldn’t see them as good as, say, Leicester. They’re probably the equivalent of West Ham or Everton. In other words, we should win at home and maybe a draw/win away.
Liverpool have the fourth-best chances of winning the Champions League this season. That’s according to one data analysis outfit. This comes from FiveThirtyEight. The analysis group believe Liverpool have the fourth-best chances of winning the Champions League this season. That’s after the Reds landed in a particularly difficult group. They’ll feature alongside Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan – three opponents who could cause them real problems. Thus FTE give Liverpool around a 9% chance of lifting the trophy at the end of it all. Only Manchester City (16%), Bayern Munich and Chelsea (both 11%) rank better. As for getting out of the group? 77%. That’s surprisingly high – fifth-highest, in fact – given the strength of that group. They also rate Liverpool as having a 49% chance of topping their group. That’s above Atletico, who only have a 29% chance.
Liverpool v AC Milan, Wed Sep 15 Porto v Liverpool, Tues Sep 28 Atletico Madrid v Liverpool, Tues Oct 19 Liverpool v Atletico Madrid, Wed Nov 3 Liverpool v Porto, Wed Nov 24 AC Milan v Liverpool, Tues Dec 7
I admire everyone's positivity, but I think Milan are being dismissed too easily. hope I'm completely wrong of course.
I'm not dismissing anyone...I think that is a tough draw...LFC will have to be "on" to progress to the knockouts. Athletico with Simeone will play exactly how LFC don't like to play...slow the game down, roll on the ground every time a player walks by, kick 'em when the ref isn't looking... Porto and Milan will follow suit...I'm just glad that we play them first (before Athletico), and super glad we host AC Milan for the opener. Anfield will be ROCKIN'!
Liverpool lost to Belgrade not too long ago. I think a group where you don't have to go to Russia and know going in you can't overlook anyone is probably good for this side. While it does look like one of the tougher groups this season, if this Liverpool can't beat Porto and Milan home and away they honestly don't deserve to go through as group winners.
When will the last-16 ties be played? Ties will take place over two legs. The first legs will be spread out on 15, 16, 22 and 23 February, with the second legs on 8, 9, 15 and 16 March. Seeded teams will be away for the first leg before being at home for the return matches. All kick-offs are at 20:00 GMT. what I'd like to see ... Who could Liverpool face? PSG, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Villarreal, Red Bull Salzburg Who could Manchester United meet? Atletico Madrid, PSG, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Red Bull Salzburg Who could Manchester City play? Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Salzburg, Villarreal, Benfica Who could Chelsea draw? Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Lille what will probably happen .... Who could Liverpool face? PSG, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Villarreal, Red Bull Salzburg Who could Manchester United meet? Atletico Madrid, PSG, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Red Bull Salzburg Who could Manchester City play? Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Salzburg, Villarreal, Benfica Who could Chelsea draw? Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Lille
Give me anybody but PSG - they're dangerous with that front 3. See the RBS talent up close. The Portuguese shouldn't be a threat over two legs. And I'd gladly play Inter - a giant club we've only ever played twice, so wouldn't mind seeing them again.