World Cup Corner

MONACO (AFP) - Champions Liverpool were drawn in the same group as last season’s English league winners Chelsea in the group stages of the Champions League.

Liverpool, who beat Chelsea in the semi-finals in last season’s competition, were without country protection in the draw after UEFA granted them special dispensation to defend the trophy.
Belgian club Anderlecht and Real Betis of Spain make up the group.

“There was a lot of speculation and now we have to play them again,” said Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, Liverpool’s hero as they beat AC Milan on penalties to win last season’s Champions League trophy.

“We have a chance to go through but it won’t be easy.”

Inspirational Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard recalled last season’s semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield as a “special match with a special atmosphere.

“It will be similar (this time) and it will be close. They are a special team with a fantastic manager,” he said.

“It wasn’t a suprise to be honest. When we didn’t get the protected country (status) there was always a chance.”

Last season’s losing finalists AC Milan will face PSV Eindhoven, whom they knocked out at the semi-final stage last time around, and have potentially tricky trips to Schalke 04 of Germany and Turkish champions Fenerbahce.

The money-spinning group stages of European football’s most prestigious competition also saw Italian champions Juventus draw German counterparts Bayern Munich.

Spanish giants Real Madrid were drawn in the same pool as four-time French champions Lyon, while Swiss minnows Thun will have games against Arsenal, Ajax and Sparta Prague.

Diego Forlan faces a return to former club Manchester United after his current side Villareal were drawn in the same group, along with Lille of France and Portuguese outfit Benfica.

The Uruguay striker finished last season as topscorer in the Spanish league with 25 league goals, but only managed to net 10 goals in 62 Premiership games for Manchester United.

And for Scottish giants and perennial underachievers Rangers, there will be the chance of gaining revenge on Slovakian club Artmedia, who knocked out Celtic to qualify for the group stages of the competition.

Rangers have also got Inter Milan and 2004 winners FC Porto.

Spanish champions Barcelona were drawn with Panathinaikos of Greece, German club Werder Bremen and Udinese of Italy, who defeated Portuguese giants and last season’s beaten UEFA Cup finalists Sporting Lisbon in the final qualifying round.

The opening group games are scheduled for September 13-14.