It's UEFA Champions League (UCL) time again! The defending champions Liverpool have been placed in Group E, along with Napoli, Genk and Red Bull Salzburg. Looking at the group dynamics, you don't need to be a sports pundit to pick the two teams who are most likely to advance to the knockout stage. However, this is football, and we will never rule out a twist in the tale. Here is a lowdown on the clubs of Group E.

Easy to predict

Defending champions Liverpool and last year's runners up in Italian League, Napoli are the favourites to make it to the knockout stage. Coached by Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool will be looking to protect its glory. The side has an elite line up with UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year Alisson Becker and UEFA Player and Defender of the Year Virgil Van Dijk playing for them. The combination of Klopp's philosophy and the striker trio — Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino — should work its magic and help the champions stay on the top.

The draw will reunite Napoli with Liverpool — their nemesis of the last season, who trounced them 1-0 in the final group stage to reach the knockout stage. For Carlo Ancelotti's side, Kalidou Koulibaly has been a key player this summer. His partnership with Roma alumnus Kostas Manolas should fortify Napoli's defence. This time, with no PSG in the group, it should be a breeze through for both — Liverpool and Napoli.

Also Read | Premier League: Pep Guardiola Jokingly Congratulates Liverpool

Also Read | Ranveer Singh's Debonair Look At English Premier League Wins Internet

Survival attack

For Red Bull Salzburg, the club has been winning Austrian Bundesliga for the past seven seasons. This UCL, it's American manager Marsch will get a chance to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Ancelotti and Klopp.

As for Genk, their performance in the group will depend as much on luck as their players. The club that kicked Tottenham out of the Europa League in 2017 won its first Belgian league title in eight years, last season. The team is still figuring out its way after Coach Clement moved to Club Brugge. Leandro Trossard going to Brighton has also limited the club's attack options. 

Matchday Live September 18, 2019

• Napoli vs Liverpool  (12:30 am)

• FC Salzburg vs Racing Genk (12:30 am)

Also Read | Raheem Sterling Can Match Up To Messi And Ronaldo, Says Guardiola

Also read | Lionel Messi 'made Me Better Player', Says Cristiano Ronaldo