Klopp relishing PSG clash in tough Champions League group

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is excited by the "big challenge" of battling Paris Saint-Germain in one of the Champions League's toughest groups. Last season's beaten finalists Liverpool face a tricky path to the knockout rounds with Napoli, Red Star Belgrade and the Ligue 1 champions comprising a difficult set of opponents.

Carlo Ancelotti, winner of three Champions League titles as a coach, could transform Napoli into a particularly dangerous prospect, although Liverpool and PSG are expected to compete for top spot in Group C. Klopp praised Thomas Tuchel's side and dismissed the notion of any easy points.

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Tough tournament, as always

"I expected a difficult group, we have a difficult group and that's what the Champions League is all about," Klopp told his club's website. "PSG are one of the most exciting teams in the world and I think their target is to win the Champions League, so that will be two interesting matches. Napoli, we beat them in pre-season but it goes without saying these two games will be completely a different challenge. I've been to Napoli with Dortmund, so I know what the atmosphere is like there. In fact, it's where I got a suspension [for being sent off]. I can do better, obviously! Red Star, I watched them last night. They came through and it will be, again, a very, very intense atmosphere I am sure."

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Liverpool-PSG: top drawer tie

PSG are now coached by fellow German Tuchel, Klopp's successor at former club Borussia Dortmund, and the Reds boss plans to keep a close eye on their progress over the coming months. "I am looking forward to watching PSG a bit more often, which is a very interesting project for sure over in France with Thomas Tuchel," he said. "Facing Neymar will be, for our Brazilian guys, like meeting a friend again and all that stuff. It's a big challenge, but for all the others it is a big challenge to face us."