Liverpool are set to face Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and Maribor in Group E of the Champions League, presenting three interesting matchups.
The Reds secured their place among Europe’s elite by virtue of a 6-3 aggregate win over Hoffenheim in the play-offs, shining at Anfield on Wednesday night.
That ensured their name was in the hat for Thursday’s draw in Monaco, and Jurgen Klopp‘s side have been handed a reasonable group as they make their first appearance in the tournament since 2014.
So what can we expect from Liverpool’s Champions League opponents?
Here’s all you need to know about Spartak, Sevilla and Maribor ahead of the Reds’ return to the European summit.
Spartak Moscow
Manager: Massimo Carrera
Former Juventus and Atalanta defender Carrera joined Spartak in 2016, leading the Moscow outfit to their first Russian Premier League title since 2001 in his first season in charge.
Previously he served as assistant manager at Juventus, operating as caretaker during Antonio Conte’s ban in 2012, as well as Conte’s assistant for Italy between 2014 and 2016.
The 53-year-old typically utilises a 4-2-3-1 formation, but has also used a 4-3-3 at Spartak.
Stadium: Otkrytie Arena
The Otkrytie Arena was opened in 2014, holds 45,360 and is 2,109 miles from Anfield.
Key Players: Salvatore Bocchetti, Denis Glushakov and Quincy Promes
Spartak’s best and most important player is, without a doubt, former Liverpool target Quincy Promes, a quick, versatile forward adept at playing off the shoulder of defenders, and boasting a powerful long-range strike.
Captain Denis Glushakov is a staple feature in Carrera’s midfield, serving as a roving box-to-box option alongside Fernando, while Salvatore Bocchetti is Spartak’s leader at the back.
Russian Premier League Finish, 2016/17: 1st
European Pedigree: 15 times in the Champions League, 20 times in the Europa League
Last Time vs. Liverpool: Spartak Moscow 1-3 Liverpool – October 22, 2002
The two sides met in the Champions League group stage in 2001/02, with their last clash seeing Gerard Houllier’s Reds build on a 5-0 home win with an impressive victory in Moscow.
Michael Owen scored a hat-trick against a young Spartak side on a freezing night in Russia.
Sevilla
Manager: Eduardo Berizzo
Berizzo took over from Jorge Sampaoli in May, after three years with fellow Liga side Celta Vigo.
In his playing days, Berizzo was an accomplished centre-back, whose longest spells came with Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys and Celta, finishing his career with Cadiz in 2006.
The 47-year-old looks to have carried his 4-1-4-1 formation over from Celta to Sevilla, deploying a strong midfield base and a pacy attacking line.
Stadium: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium was built in 1955, opened in 1958 and holds 42,714. It’s a 1,586-mile trip from Anfield.
Key Players: Steven N’Zonzi, Jesus Navas and Nolito
Familiar with English sides from his spells with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, Steven N’Zonzi has gone from strength to strength since joining Sevilla in 2015.
His bullish, intelligent displays in defensive midfield garnered the attention of Juventus this summer.
Meanwhile, new arrivals Nolito and Jesus Navas, both formerly of Man City, provide Berizzo with a pair of troublesome, dynamic wide options.
Liga Finish, 2016/17: 4th
European Pedigree: 4 times in the Champions League, 12 times in the Europa League; back-to-back Europa League winners in 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16
Last Time vs. Liverpool: Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla – May 18, 2016
The Reds were crushed by Unai Emery’s Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basel, relinquishing a strong 1-0 lead at half-time to suffer a humiliating defeat.
This season provides Liverpool with an opportunity to set a marker for their progress made since that disappointing night at the end of Klopp’s first season in charge.
Maribor
Manager: Darko Milanic
Milanic has been with Maribor since 2016, and is in his second spell in charge of the Slovenian side, having spent five years with the club between 2008 and 2013.
He has won the Slovenian PrvaLiga five times with Maribor, most recently last season, but proved less successful at Leeds United, spending just 32 days in the dugout at Elland Road.
Stadium: Stadion Ljudski vrt
The Stadion Ljudski vrt is the closest of the three stadiums to Anfield, at just 1,183 miles away. It was built in 1952 and now holds 12,702.
Key Players: Aleks Pihler, Luka Zahovic and Marcos Tavares
Slovenia international winger Aleks Pihler has started the campaign strongly, and will serve as a major goal threat for Maribor from the left flank.
Luka Zahovic finished last season as Maribor’s top goalscorer, with 16 in all competitions, while the ageing Marcos Tavares is the club’s all-time most-capped player and record goalscorer.
Slovenian PrvaLiga Finish, 2016/17: 1st
European Pedigree: 2 times in the Champions League, 8 times in the Europa League
Last Time vs. Liverpool: Maribor have never played Liverpool.
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