There was always going to be a good chance Liverpool would be handed a tough Champions League draw.

Following Benfica's victory over PAOK in the final round of qualifying, Liverpool's place in pot three was confirmed.

That result meant Liverpool's chances of drawing two of Europe's top teams were enhanced.

And that turned out to be the case. The Reds were drawn along side Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade in Group C.

Their first game in the group will see PSG visit Anfield in what would be a tough test for Jurgen Klopp's side.

However, it will not be as tough as first feared.

As per the Liverpool Echo, the French giants will be without two of their star players for the tie: Gianluigi Buffon and Marco Verratti.

Buffon will be suspended from the first three games of this year's Champions League competition following his infamous red card against Real Madrid when playing for Juventus last season.

And Verratti was also sent off in his final Champions League game last season after picking up two yellow cards in PSG's clash with Real Madrid.

That's great news for Liverpool. Despite being 40 years old, Buffon remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, while Verratti is an important part of PSG in midfield.

Barring injury, PSG will still be able to call upon the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the tie on September 18, but they will still be far from full strength.

It seems playing PSG in their first Champions League game of the season is actually a positive for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp gave his reaction to the draw on Thursday.

"To be 100 per cent honest, it was not that I had a group I wished for or whatever," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "I expected a difficult group, we have a difficult group and that’s what the Champions League is all about.

"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.

"But that’s how it is, it’s the group and I am fine with that. Now let’s go."