Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool got the “difficult group” he expected after being drawn to play PSG and Napoli in the Champions League.
Despite being runners-up last season, the Reds went into Thursday’s draw in pot three, meaning they were almost guaranteed at least one of Europe’s big-hitters.
As well as PSG, they will also face Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli and Red Star.
Klopp expected a tough group but the Liverpool boss says none of their opponents will be relishing it either.
He told the club’s website: “When you have already a group with Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli – two absolutely top teams – then you don’t want to have Liverpool as the third team!
“It is how it is’ is the best way to describe it; don’t think too much about it.
“If you think about the group, you are already out. If you think it is too difficult, you are already out. We don’t think either. We will play the games, we will be competitive – that’s what we have to make sure – and that is all.
“To be 100 per cent honest, it was not that I had a group I wished for or whatever. I expected a difficult group, we have a difficult group and that’s what the Champions League is all about.
“PSG are one of the most exciting teams in the world and I think their target is to win the Champions League, so that will be two interesting matches. Napoli, we beat them in pre-season but it goes without saying these two games will be completely a different challenge.
“I’ve been to Napoli with Dortmund, so I know what the atmosphere is like there.
“In fact, it’s where I got a suspension [for being sent off]. I can do better, obviously! Red Star, I watched them last night. They came through and it will be, again, a very, very intense atmosphere I am sure.
“But that’s how it is, it’s the group and I am fine with that. Now let’s go.”
Klopp elaborate don PSG: “I am looking forward to watching them a bit more often, which is a very interesting project for sure over in France with Thomas Tuchel.
“Facing Neymar will be, for our Brazilian guys, like meeting a friend again and all that stuff. It’s a big challenge, but for all the others it is a big challenge to face us.”