Liverpool to play Real Madrid on Champions League return

Liverpool have been drawn to play last season's winners Real Madrid in the draw for the Champions League group stages.

On their return to Europe's premier competition for the first time in five years, Liverpool have been handed the toughest of tests against Carlo Ancelotti's expensively-assembled squad.

However, despite drawing the La Liga giants, the rest of the group has gone in Liverpool's favour after they were handed games against Swiss side Basel and Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad.

The first round of group fixtures will be played on September 16 and September 17.