Liverpool face familiar foes

Last season's runners-up Liverpool FC will begin their quest for a sixth European Champion Clubs' Cup in UEFA Champions League Group A which includes two sides, FC Porto and Olympique de Marseille, who they have met in European competition in recent seasons.

Recent meetings
The Merseyside club ousted the Portuguese side from the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 2000/01 and went on to lift the trophy, although Marseille proved too strong when the teams met in the UEFA Cup fourth round three years later. Marseille – who signed forward Djibril Cissé and midfielder Boudewijn Zenden from Anfield this summer – went on to reach the final where they were beaten by Valencia CF, who were then coached by the current Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez. Beşiktaş JK are also in the section, meaning another return to Istanbul, the city where Liverpool won the last of their five European Cups in 2005.

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool manager 
It's clear when you look at some of the other groups that ours could have been easier. Porto have good experience in the Champions League and have enjoyed a good record over recent seasons. They will be tough opposition for us. Marseille are a good side in Ligue 1 and they will know a lot about us which could make it more difficult. And you always know when you go to Turkey that it will be hard because of the travelling involved and the wonderful support they give their teams over there. I am always confident we can qualify but as ever the key will be winning the home games and picking up results away.

Vítor Baía, Porto external relations director
These kind of draws are always quite even. For what we have done in this competition and with our potential we have all the qualities to go further. Anfield is one of the most difficult grounds and Liverpool have strengthened their team and have a good history in UEFA club competition. Marseille are a very different side now and have Cissé as their attacking spearhead. Beşiktaş have [former Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder Rodrigo] Tello, Ricardinho and some very good Turkish players.

José Anigo, Marseille sporting director
It is not so bad. We can do something interesting. We know Porto very well. They have a great striker [Ricardo] Quaresma. As for Liverpool, we might have a chance for revenge on Rafael Benítez. We know Anfield well, Djibril and Bolo have played there already. Djibril wanted Liverpool. We have a chance to go through and I'm satisfied.

Ertuğrul Sağlam, Beşiktaş coach
Our aim will be to qualify for the next round. We have a high-quality team. Me and my staff believe we can go through. There is no need to evaluate the teams that we have drawn individually, because all of them are world renowned.