Liverpool have been drawn in group A for the 2007-08 Champions League group stages, and will face FC Porto of Portugal as their biggest test.

They will also face French side Marseille and Turkish side Besiktas.

The match up with Marseille means there will be two familiar names in opposition in the shape of former striker Djibril Cisse and midfielder Bolo Zenden.

The trip to Besiktas will mean a return to Istanbul, the scene of Rafa Benitez’s finest hour in May 2005.

Fixture dates.

Group stage, Matchday 1 18th or 19th September 2007
Group stage, Matchday 2 2nd or 3rd October 2007
Group stage, Matchday 3 23rd or 24th October 2007
Group stage, Matchday 4 6th or 7th November 2007
Group stage, Matchday 5 27th or 28th November 2007
Group stage, Matchday 6 11th or 12th December 2007 (4th December for holders’ group)

PORTO

Nickname: Dragons
Manager: Jesualdo Ferreira
Stadium: Estádio do Dragão (Capacity: 50,948)
Notable players: Ricardo Quaresma, Helder Postiga

MARSEILLE

Nickname: l’OM
Manager: Albert Emon
Stadium: Stade Velodrome (Capacity: 60,013)
Notable players: Djibril Cisse, Bolo Zenden,

BESIKTAS

Nickname: Black Eagles
Manager: Ertuğrul Sağlam
Stadium: BJK İnönü Stadium (Capacity: 32,145)
Notable players: Goalkeeper Rustu Recber