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Brendan Rodgers reflected on the mouthwatering prospect of leading Liverpool FC into battle against European champions Real Madrid and said: “It’s going to be really special.”

The Reds boss admits there is a buzz around Melwood following the draw for the group stage of the Champions League in Monaco which pitted his side against the Spanish giants.

Liverpool will also lock horns with Swiss title winners FC Basel and Bulgarian champions Ludogorets in Group B.

However, it’s the games against Carlo Ancelotti’s men which are the standout fixtures as Rodgers prepares to lead the club back into Europe’s elite after a painful five-year absence.

“We’re excited,” Rodgers said.

“That was last season’s hard work, what we were working towards - getting Liverpool back into a competition where we are synonymous with our history.

“To be back in it again, no matter who we were going to play, it was always going to be exciting.

“But to have Real Madrid in your group, the champions last season, is going to be really special. I’m already thinking of Anfield on that night.”

Liverpool will kick-off their first Champions League campaign since 2009/10 at home to minnows Ludogorets on Tuesday, September 16.

A trip to Basel follows on October 1 before the focus turns to the Anfield clash with Real Madrid three weeks later.

The Reds last met Real in the first knockout round back in 2009 when Liverpool famously thrashed them 4-0 at home to complete a stunning 5-0 triumph on aggregate.

The only other competitive meeting between the clubs was the 1981 European Cup final in Paris when Liverpool sealed victory courtesy of Alan Kennedy’s strike.

Rodgers says the sight of Real, who lifted the trophy for a record 10th time when they beat city rivals Atletico in Lisbon in May, back on the Anfield turf will be reward for the role Kopites have played in helping him mastermind the Reds’ resurgence.

“I’ll be very proud but more proud for the players and the supporters, for what they have put into us arriving there,” he said.

“They will be critical and they are going to be key for us throughout the league campaign and of course the Champions League campaign. The nights at Anfield are really special.

“To see that flag back out in the middle of the pitch and for the supporters to get behind their team like they do is going to be an amazing experience.

“Hopefully it was great for the supporters to sit and watch the draw for the first time in five years.”

Liverpool face Real in back to back games with a trip to the Bernabeu on Tuesday, November 4.

They then travel to face Ludogorets on November 26 but the venue for that game has yet to be confirmed as UEFA won’t allow the Bulgarian champions, who pulled off a shock by beating Steaua Bucharest on penalties in the play-off, to play at their 8,000 capacity home ground.

The Reds’ final group game is at home to Basel on Tuesday, December 9.

Liverpool previously faced Basel in the group stage in 2002/03 when a 1-1 draw at Anfield was followed by a 3-3 draw away, but they have never met Ludogorets.

Rodgers has vowed they will leave no stone unturned to ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Preparation will start straight away,” he said.

“Some of the teams we’re well aware of. We watch the likes of Real Madrid nearly every week and we know their players.

“As soon as the draw was finalised, the work began. We have our analysis team behind the scenes who will do all the preparation work we need for our opponents. It will be exciting for them as well.”

Liverpool are 25/1 shots to lift the trophy for a sixth time in Berlin next June. However, Rodgers insists his initial target is simply to ensure he first taste of managing in the Champions League extends into the new year by progressing to the knockout stages.

“The notion for us was to get out of the group stage. We can look no further than that,” he said.

“Now we know the teams that we’re playing, we’ll focus on getting out of the group. Once you get out of the group stages, you take it from there.”

Daniel Sturridge gave Group B his seal of approval as the Reds striker tweeted: “Saucy little draw we’ve got there. Let’s do the damn ting.”

Liverpool FC’s Champions League schedule: Tuesday, September 16: Ludogorets (home), Wednesday, October 1: Basel (away), Wednesday, October 22: Real Madrid (home), Tuesday, November 4: Real Madrid (away), Wednesday, November 26: Ludogorets (away), Tuesday, December 9: Basel (home).