Liverpool's potential UCL group stage draw and the dream and nightmare scenarios

Liverpool will find out their Champions League group stage opponents on Thursday following the conclusion of the play-off round as the Reds look to defend their crown.

As reigning European champions, Jurgen Klopp's side will fear no-one as they set their sights on a third successive final.

Liverpool are guaranteed a slightly easier draw as top seeds after being placed in Pot 1 courtesy of beating Tottenham Hotspur to win their sixth European Cup back in June.

But while trips to the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain - fellow top seeds and sides they beat on their way to Madrid last year - are all ruled out as a result, they're still far from safe from avoiding a dreaded group of death.

Here is a guide to the best - and worst - possible group stage draws.

With Pot 1 now reserved for domestic champions and the winners of the Champions League and Europa League, Pot 2 has started to look far more formidable in recent years.

A daunting trip to Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund or Napoli is a possibility, while last year's semi-finalists Ajax booked their place in the group-stages after progressing past Apoel Nicosia.

Shakhtar Donetsk and Benfica are also potential opponents but there is one Goliath name in Pot 2 that cannot be overlooked and all the top seeds will dread to be drawn against.

Real Madrid. Gulp.

Winners of the European Cup a mammoth 13 times, including four times since 2014 and three times under current boss Zinedine Zidane, Liverpool only need to look back to their 2018 final appearance against the Spaniards to be aware of the enormity of such a draw.

Dream draw: Benfica

Nightmare draw: Real Madrid

Pot 3 isn't shy of a European superpower or two of its own.

The Reds have fallen at the hand of already-qualified Lyon, Bayern Leverkusen and Valencia in the Champions League before but would back themselves to have see off each respective threat, while a trip to Red Bull Salzburg or Dinamo Zagreb would be embraced.

Liverpool also wouldn't say no to a reunion with Simon Mignolet should they face Club Brugge, boasting happy European memories against the Belgians, while it's a similar story regarding Olympiakos.

But it's a different tale entirely for Inter Milan. While not the force they once were, the Serie A giants boast plenty of European pedigree and one of the most iconic grounds in European football in the San Siro.

Competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2011/12 last year, Inter have smashed their transfer record to bring in Romelu Lukaku this summer.

And after a group stage exit last year, they'll be determined to enjoy a longer stay in the competition this season as they look to re-establish themselves at Europe's top table.

Dream draw: Club Brugge

Nightmare draw: Inter Milan

Pot 4 boasts something of a mixed bunch with trips to France or Belgium to lock horns with Lille and Genk far more favourable than intimidating contests in Russia, Turkey and Serbia against Lokomotiv Moscow, Galatasaray or Red Star Belgrade.

Meanwhile, Slavia Prague and Atalanta, who will be playing their games at the San Siro, are also in the hat.

But RB Leipzig, entering the Champions League for only the second time, remain something of an unknown quantity in Europe following their swift rise up the German football league ladder.

Currently still boasting wantaway forward Timo Werner in attack, they are not to be taken lightly.

Dream draw: Slavia Prague

Nightmare draw: RB Leipzig

Champions League potential dream group: Liverpool, Benfica, Club Brugge, Slavia Prague

Champions League potential group of death: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig