LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 18, 2015: The Liverpool FC badge during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 1st leg match against Besiktas JK at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) (General Pic)

Liverpool drop to 55th in UEFA rankings

Liverpool have dropped to a lowly 55th place in the latest UEFA rankings ahead of the 2015/16 season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 10, 2009: Liverpool and Real Madrid players walk-out before the UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round 2nd Leg match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

12 months ago, the Reds were preparing for their long-awaited return to Europe’s elite competition after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

That return was short lived, eliminated in the group stages despite a pretty favourable draw, managing just one win in six games – and that being via a late penalty in injury time against lowly Ludogorets.

Brendan Rodgers’ side dropped into the Europa League, and were promptly dumped out of that at the first attempt too, with Turkish side Besiktas winning the last 32 tie on penalties.

A sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season meant Rodgers’ side scraped a place in 2015/16’s Europa League, the draw for the group stages takes place on August 28th.

> Europa League 2015/16: Dates and info

All this means Liverpool continue to fall down UEFA’s club rankings, entering the new season in 55th place – below clubs such as Apoel, Tranzonspor, Metalist Kharkiv and Genk.

In 2009, Liverpool were ranked the No. 1 side in Europe, based on UEFA’s coefficient – which ranks teams based on results and standard of opposition in European competitions over the last 5 seasons.

British sides ranked about the Reds are: Chelsea (4th), Arsenal (7th), Man City (16th), Man United (20th), Tottenham (24th) and Celtic (46th).

Everton are in 67th.