Champions League draw replay: Watch Uefa group stage 2019 ceremony after English clubs learn fate
Watch a replay of the 2019/20 Uefa Champions League group stage draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Defending champions Liverpool must face Napoli for the second season in a row, while beaten finalists Tottenham were paired with Bayern Munich in the draw for the Champions League group stages.
The two other teams drawn in Liverpool's group - E - were Salzburg and Genk, the champions of Austria and Belgium, respectively. Although they are tricky opponents for sure, they are not ones who should worry Jurgen Klopp's men unnecessarily.
Spurs' group, B, is completed by Greek side Olympiacos, who came through qualifying to reach the last 32, and Serbia's Red Star Belgrade, who memorably beat Liverpool last season, which should serve as a warning to Mauricio Pochettino's side, and Klopp's.
Europa League champions Chelsea will face the darlings of last season's competition Ajax, although they have lost Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong from that superb side, and Valencia and Lille in Group H.
Premier League champions Manchester City were arguably given the easiest of draws - among the English quartet, at least - by getting Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, a team they beat 9-0 over two ties last season, Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia and Atalanta, third in Serie A last season.
How can I watch the draw?
Uefa will stream the draw for free on their website.
BT Sport will meanwhile show the draw live on television from 4.30pm on BT Sport 2.
You can also stream the draw on their website and YouTube channel.
And don’t forget that you can follow live coverage of the draw with our rolling news blog.
Latest updates:
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 2019/20 Champions League group stage draw.
Before we go any further, first things first: the pots.
Pot one: Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Zenit St Petersburg
Pot two: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Shakhtar Donetsk, Tottenham, Ajax, Benfica
Pot three: Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Salzburg, Olympiakos, Club Bruges, Valencia, Inter Milan, Dinamo Zagreb
Pot four: Lokomotiv Moscow, Genk, Galatasaray, RB Leipzig, Slavia Prague, Red Star Belgrade, Atalanta, Lille
What's that? How will the draw work? Let me explain, friends.
So, the top pot contains the two Uefa competition winners as well as the champions of the six highest-ranked nations. That means Liverpool and Chelsea are joined by Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Zenit St Petersburg.
The remaining teams are then split across pots two to four by order of the club coefficient rankings.
No team can be drawn against a club from their own league.
Champions League calendar:
Matchday one: 17, 18 September
Matchday two: 1, 2 October
Matchday three: 22, 23 October
Matchday four: 5, 6 November
Matchday five: 26, 27 November
Matchday six: 10, 11 December:
Round of 16 draw: 16 December
Round of 16 first legs: 18, 19, 25, 26 February
Round of 16 second legs: 10, 11, 17, 18 March
Quarter-finals and semi-finals draw: 20 March
Quarter-finals first leg: 7, 8 April
Quarter-finals second leg: 14, 15 April
Semi-finals first leg: 28, 29 April
Semi-finals second leg: 5, 6 May
Final: 30 May
'Why are Man City in the hat when Uefa ban looms over this season’s competition?'
Tony Evans has the answers and takes a look at what comes next for Pep Guardiola's club:
NEW BALL ALERT!
Admittedly, it's a tad garish and kinda looks like a Champions League mascot has thrown up on it. But, you know what, I like it. There, I said it. Cuff me.
This is the sort of content I'm here for. Self-deprecation at its finest. Kudos, lads.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments