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Liverpool FC are guaranteed to be in pot three for the Champions League on Thursday and face a daunting draw.

Here's the teams they could end up playing from pot two when the draw takes place. The ECHO have already looked at what teams the Reds could face from pot one.

This pot looks a tricky one for the Reds, with a few German sides, the champions of France and Italy, as well as a couple of trips to Russia and Ukraine as possibilities.

Schalke

(Image: AP Photo)

What they're about: Champions League regulars from Germany who have qualified for the knockout stages in three of the past four years – including a semi-final appearance against Manchester United in 2011.

Star player: Julian Draxler. The 20-year-old attacker is one of Europe's most promising youngsters and has risen through the ranks at the Gelsenkirchen club, with his performances attracting attention from Real Madrid, Arsenal and – crushingly predictably – Bayern Munich.

How they qualified: Schalke finished third behind Bayern and Dortmund last season to automatically qualify, despite sitting in 13th entering October.

Sum up in 140 characters: That team sponsored by Gazprom and Huntelaar. Always seem to be handed horrible draw in last 16. Thank God they're not called Gelsenkirchen.

Last time: Liverpool have never faced Schalke in competitive football.

It was always bound to happen because... The Reds haven't drawn a German team since 2005 and it is about time it happened.

Fear factor: Jens Keller's side play some good, up-tempo football and possess a decent squad including exciting youngsters Draxler and Max Meyer, as well as strong international stars in Huntelaar, Benedikt Howedes and Kevin Prince Boateng. 3/5.

Dortmund

What they're about: The football hipster's team of choice, Dortmund exploded back on to the European scene as a young, vibrant, exciting team managed by Jurgen Klopp. Unlucky to lose the 2013 Champions League final and gave a fright to eventual winners Real last season. A symbol of what's good about German football.

Star player: Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian almost joined the Reds last summer but eventually ended up in Germany and enjoyed a strong debut season. With no Robert Lewandowski in front of him – and with the tireless, energetic Ciro Immobile dragging defenders out of position – expect him to find himself on the scoresheet regularly this season.

How they qualified: Dortmund finished second, as expect, behind Bayern – although the 19-point gap was not something Klopp would have been pleased with.

Sum up in 140 characters: Giant yellow wall tough to break down. Endless enthusiasm and energy off the pitch, team does best to replicate that. Tickets cost about £2.

Last time: The Reds faced Dortmund as recently as this month, disposing of them 4-0 at Anfield in a pre-season friendly. In a competitive fixture, the Reds sealed their passage into the second round of the 2001/02 group stage with a 2-0 win after a goalless draw in Dortmund earlier that season.

It was always bound to happen because... Rodgers v Klopp. After giving a glimpse of the duel in a friendly, it is time for the real thing.

Fear factor: They are not the force they were even a few years ago but still play a very powerful style of football that's difficult to deal with, very much similar to Liverpool. But after an easy win, albeit in a friendly, the Reds would be confident. 3/5.

Juventus

What they're about: Three consecutive Serie A titles – the gap becoming bigger every time – has failed to translate on to the European stage; frustrating group stage exit to Galatasaray last season compounds their troubles outside of Italy. New manager Massimilliano Allegri will be expected to retain domestic dominance but also do better in Champions League.

Star player: Paul Pogba. The powerful French midfielder, signed from Manchester United in 2012, starred at the World Cup after a strong season in Turin. He has the ability to provide both defensive reinforcements at the base of midfield, but can also carry the ball and cause havoc in the final third.

How they qualified: Juve ran away with the title last season with 102 points, 80 goals and just 23 conceded.

Sum up in 140 characters: The classy horse in a one-horse race but can't make the step up. Conte departure was a knockout blow so now turn to old Milan rival in hope.

Last time: Sami Hyypia, Luis Garcia and all that. Liverpool beat Juventus 2-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the 2004/05 season thanks to the 2-1 home win, followed by a brilliant goalless draw away.

It was always bound to happen because... It evokes memories of 2005, and every successful campaign needs some sort of input from Italy.

Fear factor: The departure of Antonio Conte for Allegri is seen as a step down in the dugout, but Juventus still possess a strong squad including Pogba, Arturo Vidal (for now), Carlos Tevez and a strong all-Italian back three. But it is also a squad not not used to high tempo football, which would play into the Reds' hands. 3/5.

Paris SG

What they're about: The club of the capital who suffered years of mediocrity before Qatar Sports Investments bought ownership in 2011. Consecutive Ligue 1 titles have since followed, but the owners want world domination from Laurent Blanc, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and co.

Star player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker only cost £15.7m but the intent shown by the French club was priceless. He scored 56 league goals in his first two seasons at the club (and a further two this season before picking up an injury) and has become a symbol of everything the club are trying to attract and achieve.

How they qualified: They won their second successive French league title by nine points from Monaco.

Sum up in 140 characters: Le nouveau riche with an eye on conquering Europe with Disney defence. Bon chance. Plenty of depth, plenty of royal riyals. They are Zlatan.

Last time: Liverpool met PSG in the semi-final of the 1997 Cup Winners' Cup. After a 3-0 defeat in France, the Reds battled back bravely in the second leg – but ultimately went out after a 2-0 win.

It was always bound to happen because... Liverpool were seemingly linked with half the PSG squad this summer, and it is a chance for Rodgers to show why it was all speculation.

Fear factor: PSG are becoming a giant of the game. Although the signing of David Luiz raised eyebrows, Silva did not show his true form in the Brazilian set-up this summer and should provide a more calming presence to his compatriot. One of the trickiest teams in the pot. 4/5.

Shakhtar Donetsk

What they're about: Shakhtar have emerged at the dominant force in Ukraine, usurping Dynamo Kyiv. After winning their first title in 2002, they have built a solid team and have benefited from a non-existent necessity for work permits, attracting some top South American talent. They won the Uefa Cup in 2009 and have reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2011.

Star player: Bernard. One of the few players to come out of Brazil's World Cup with any real credit, although that was mainly due to his limited participation. A tricky attacker with intelligence and a great eye for a pass; he is the central hub to everything Shakhtar do, and will no doubt move on for big money eventually.

How they qualified: As champions as usual, and therefore became automatic qualifiers for the group stage. Mircea Lucescu's side finished six points ahead of Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk to confirm their fifth successive domestic title.

Sum up in 140 characters: Slippery customers in Cyrillic script; a much better Hull City, much likelier to maul. Young South Americans on tap to be sold for billions.

Last time: Liverpool have never met Skakhtar Donetsk in a competitive fixture.

It was always bound to happen because... it's in bloody Ukraine.

Fear factor: Shakhtar will play their Champions League games in Lviv due to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which is situated over 600 miles from Donetsk. That neutral venue would possibly play into Liverpool's hands but Shakhtar are still a strong, experienced side who can navigate their way out of a tough group. 3/5.

Basel

(Image: Action Images)

What they're about: The top side in Switzerland for the past decade, with seven titles in 10 years. A strong academy and even stronger scouting system has seen them perform not only domestically but also in Europe; Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Valentin Stocker and Hakin Yakin are amongst those to have graced St Jakob-Park recently.

Star player: Walter Samuel. The former Roma, Real Madrid and Inter Milan defender has chosen to see out his career in the Swiss Super League. A strong, no-nonsense Argentine, Javier Zanetti once heralded his Argentine team-mate as the hardest player he ever played with.

How they qualified: Another Super League title for Basel with a seven-point gap between themselves and Grasshopper Zurich. They also scored more than any other team and possessed the best defence.

Sum up in 140 characters: Boom boom. Swiss champions elect who won't be easy to brush aside; nothing faulty about recent European exploits. Armed with cheese graters.

Last time: The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League group stage by the Swiss side in 2002. After a draw at Anfield, they travelled to Switzerland on the final matchday needing a win to qualify. After falling 3-0 behind, Gerard Houllier's side mounted a comeback and got it back to 3-3 – but were ultimately eliminated.

It was always bound to happen because... Liverpool owe Basel following elimination from the 2002/03 Champions League. Also a chance for the prodigal son, Philipp Degen, to return to Merseyside.

Fear factor: Basel may not be as strong as they have been recently – they reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2013 - but still possess Serey Die in midfield, while captain Marco Streller is a handful up front. But Paolo Sousa has work to do. 2/5.

Zenit St Petersburg

What they're about: Russian side with plenty of money who rose to prominence with 2008 Uefa Cup win in Manchester. Surprisingly underperform domestically with just four titles – three since 2007 – but have created a strong side full of Russian national team stars and big-money buys from abroad.

Star player: Hulk. The wide forward was at the World Cup but is now reunited with Andre Villas-Boas – the manager who brought the best out of him at Porto. Scored 17 goals in 24 appearances last season and has started this season well with five goals in five games; has a rocket of a left foot and, when fully committed, is a true handful.

How they qualified: Zenit were pipped to the Russian Premier League title by a point with CSKA Moscow taking the spoils despite the appointment of Villas-Boas in March. They beat AEL Limassol in the third qualifying stage before a 4-0 aggregate win over Standard Liege to seal their progress.

Sum up in 140 characters: Goodbye Lenin, hello Peter. Martin Skrtel's former employers launched revolution on the pitch. Capable of leaving opponents out in the cold.

Last time: Brendan Rodgers suffered his first European elimination at the hands of Zenit in the last 32 of the Europa League two seasons ago. After a 2-0 defeat in Russia, the Reds battled back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Anfield – but Zenit progressed on away goals.

It was always bound to happen because... the Reds owe Zenit after the Europa League disappointment in February 2013 – and Villas-Boas owes Liverpool after their 5-0 win at White Hart Lane sealed his dismissal.

Fear factor: A strong side with a good manager (despite what the general consensus says). The Reds already know the difficulty of going to Russia – they would hope to avoid a trip there in December. 3/5.