Klopp fears Liverpool group of death and takes dim view on CL repeat

Jurgen Klopp believes winning the Champions League has never been tougher and believes it is impossible to predict English sides dominating the competition as they did last season.

The German collected his first trophy as Liverpool manager in June when they defeated Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid in an all-English final – but Klopp says it’s unlikely Premier League sides will enjoy similar success this time around.

The reigning champions are in Pot One for Thursday ­evening’s draw in Monaco alongside Europa League winners Chelsea , and fellow top seeds Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern ­Munich.

But with Pot Two containing the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli; Pot Three having Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon and Pot Four holding RB Leipzig, Galatasaray and Lille, there is the potential for, rather unusually, more than one ‘Group of Death’.

As such, Klopp reckons winning the competition has never been harder, and claims the quality of the Champions League makes talk of a rival European Super League competition redundant.

“Someone told me about the groups and what could happen, and it is just crazy,” he said. “The groups will be incredible. I don’t think there was ever a stronger Pot Two.

“They should all be in Pot One, but there is not enough space there. I don’t think there was ever a stronger Pot Three. Then Pot 4 you can get RB Leipzig – wow!

“If people really think about this kind of Super League, then you don’t need it.”

As such, Klopp is sceptical about the prospect of English sides dominating again as he continued: “I have no clue who will win the Champions League.

“We have the same chance like everyone else, but that is all, and no I don’t see us, the English teams, dominating.

“I really think a lot of teams have a good chance. Bayern Munich now finally brought in Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho, which is like a big boost.

“Look at the squad Borussia Dortmund has and tell me we are stronger than them. That is incredible. They can make five changes and you think, ‘really they didn’t play last week? Why?’

“There are a lot of quality teams – Juventus will be there, PSG will be there. Whatever happens they will find solutions. Real Madrid? Do you think they gave up already?”

On the prospect of another all English final, Klopp believes it will also require another large dose of good fortune.

“I will have no problem with it [reaching the final] if it happens again, but at this moment I am not too sure it will happen again,” he said.

“Last year, I said it, we ­deserved it against Barcelona but we were lucky as well. Tottenham were also lucky against Ajax.”

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