'A proper, proper challenge' - Klopp on Champions League group
Jürgen Klopp looks forward to the challenge of Liverpool's 'proper football group' in this season's Champions League.
The Reds were placed in Group A during Thursday evening's draw in Istanbul and paired with AFC Ajax, Napoli and Glasgow Rangers.
While acknowledging the quality of the opposition that awaits, Klopp declared excitement to lead his side once again in Europe's premier club competition.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.com shortly after the draw, the boss said: "The first thing to say is this is a proper, proper challenge.
"All of the clubs have quality, they all have pedigree and I would say they all have a chance. The good thing is that we do also, so it makes sense for us to look forward to the challenge and give it a try.
"We did not ask for any favours and we have not been given any but this is not a competition where you can look for easy ways through because the standard is always unbelievably high.
"The difference this year is that the group stage will be shorter than usual, so we will have to be ready not just for the quality of the opposition but also for the different demands and rhythms."
He continued: "We will not have to look too hard to find information about our opponents, though.
"It was only a couple of years back that we played two really tough matches against Ajax and we get drawn against Napoli pretty regularly, so we know quite a bit about both of them and they know quite a bit about us. I know there will also be some new lessons to be learned, though. There always are.
"Rangers are a new opponent for us but we know them, too. Their story over the last few years has been really interesting and they did really, really well to qualify for the group stage, given the teams they were up against in the qualifying matches.
"We also know a couple of their players well. Ryan Kent has had a great development since moving to Scotland and Ben Davies is just starting out on his journey with Rangers, so it will be good to come up against them.
"The only certainty right now is that all of the six games will be incredibly competitive and really intense. I'm excited about it. It is a proper football group and, like I said, a proper challenge."