Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits the Reds’ group for the Europa League will be difficult but is confident they can reach the knockout stage of the competition (Liverpool 11/1 Europa League outright).
Roy Hodgson’s side survived a scare in Turkey on Thursday night against Trabzonspor, going a goal down early on before an own goal and a late Dirk Kuyt strike saved them from going to extra time.
The Reds have now come through two qualifying rounds to reach the group stages of the Europa League and have been rewarded by being placed in Group K alongside Napoli, Steaua Bucharest and Utrecht.
The biggest test Liverpool are likely to face will come from Italian side Napoli, who finished sixth in Serie A season and have a good squad of players to call upon.
Amongst manager Walter Mazzarri’s squad is the highly-rated Marek Hamsik, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past.
The Slovakian is joined by Italian international Fabio Quagliarella and Argentina prospect Ezequiel Lavezzi, who has also been linked with a move to a number of British clubs.
A trip to Romania to face former European champions Steaua will not be easy either, although Liverpool will be the hot favourites to win the home leg.
Rounding off Group K (13/2 to produce the outright winner) are Dutch side Utrecht, who enjoyed one of the greatest nights in their short history when they overturned a 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the first leg, beating the SPL side 4-0 at home to go through.
Although Liverpool will be the favourites to win the group and reach the knockout stages Gerrard admits it won’t be easy.
The England international, who missed the trip to Turkey through injury, says that while the Europa League is not the club’s priority this season he claims it?s important they do well in the competition.
“It’s a strong group and I’m certainly looking forward to the games. The media will make us early favourites I’m sure, because of our experience in the Champions League and last year in the Europa League,” said Gerrard.
“I’m confident we can get out of the group but it will be tough. The draw has given us some difficult challenges.
“I don’t think the Europa League is the priority. Everybody knows that our league position, where we finish at the end of this year, is the priority.
“But it’s another trophy, it’s a big cup. We haven’t won a trophy for four years now so it’s important we put a good show on in all the cup competitions and try to reward the fans with a final.”
Joining Liverpool in the hat for Friday’s draw were Manchester City (11/2 Europa League outright) after they cruised past Romanian team Timisoara.
Their reward was to be placed in a group alongside Italian giants Juventus, who themselves are one of the favourites to win this season’s Europa League.
The draw will see City striker Mario Balotelli return to Turin, where he was the victim of racist abuse two seasons ago, resulting in Juve being forced to play a game behind closed doors.
Joining City and Juve in Group A are Austrian champions Salzburg and Polish qualifiers Lech Poznan.
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