The stage is set for European football's grandest tournament after the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco served up a tantalising mix of dream ties and nightmare scenarios for the Premier League's elite.
Liverpool, in Pot 3, were always facing a treacherous path, and so it proved. The Reds were handed a brutal 'group of death', drawn alongside French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Italian giants Napoli, and Serbian title winners Red Star Belgrade. A gruelling travel schedule and formidable opponents await Jürgen Klopp's men.
In stark contrast, Manchester City will be quietly confident after being placed with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, French outfit Lyon, and German club 1899 Hoffenheim. Pep Guardiola will see this as the perfect launchpad for another deep run in the competition.
For Manchester United, the draw was a mixed bag. They will face the might of Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus and Spanish veterans Valencia. Their final opponent will be decided by the outcome of the Young Boys vs Dinamo Zagreb play-off, adding a final layer of intrigue.
Returning after a long absence, Tottenham Hotspur were drawn with Spanish champions Barcelona in a mouth-watering clash. They will also face Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven and Italian cup winners Inter Milan, making for a fiercely competitive group.
The draw was not without its usual glitches, providing a moment of light relief. A mix-up saw Manchester United initially incorrectly drawn against Club Brugge instead of Young Boys, a error that was swiftly corrected by UEFA officials.
With fixture dates and kick-off times still to be confirmed, fans across England are now marking their calendars for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable group stage.
