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Liverpool will face an uphill battle during the group stages of this year's Europa League competition after it was revealed they will be banded among the second tier teams for the continent's secondary tournament.
The move is indicative of a general decline and of the club's disasterous campaign in last year's Champions League, their first in five years, when they were eliminated from what was widely considered a relatively easy group.

The Merseyside club finished third behind Real Madrid and Swiss outift FC Basel. They were then elminated at the last-32 stage of the Europa League by Besiktas of Turkey.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s James Milner has no regrets swapping the Etihad Stadium for Anfield
The draw in Monaco could see The Reds grouped with continental heavyweights Schalke, Napoli, Marseille, Villarreal or Fiorentina.
As recently as 2009, Liverpool were ranked the top side in Europe.


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Liverpool set for difficult draw in Europa League as coefficient rating plummets

European minnows FC Basel qualified ahead of Liverpool in last year's Champions League group stage. Photo: AP

Entertainment factor high as goals go begging in Arsenal-Liverpool stalemate

Olivier Giroud fires on goal. Photo: AFP

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud has a shot saved by Liverpool's Simon Mignolet. Photo: Reuters


Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey takes a rest on the net. Photo: Reuters


Christian Benteke nets home debut goal as Liverpool sink Bournemouth

Liverpool's Christian Benteke scores his first goal for the club since his big-money move from Aston Villa. Photo: AP

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson was taken off with a foot injury early in the second half. Photo: EPA

Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie was a constant threat. Photo: Reuters

Bournemouth's Tommy Elphick (second right) scored a first-half goal that was ruled out. Photo: EPA

Sport

Football

Five-time European champions will be placed in second band of teams for Friday's draw after coeffiecient rating is lowered


Liverpool will face an uphill battle during the group stages of this year's Europa League competition after it was revealed they will be banded among the second tier teams for the continent's secondary tournament.
