Liverpool will treat Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad as if they were Group B rivals Real Madrid, manager Brendan Rodgers says.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says they will take Ludogorets very serious
The five-time European champions face outsiders Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday, Liverpool's first Champions League match for five years.
"We want to be at the elite level and the Champions League is that," said Rodgers on Monday.
"We know Ludogorets are excited about coming to Anfield."
Liverpool have not played in the Champions League since losing 2-1 at home to Italian side Fiorentina in the group stages on 9 December 2009.
But they make their return to the competition after finishing second in the Premier League last season.
Ludogrets, whose home ground has a capacity of 6,000, were only founded in 2001.
This is the furthest they have progressed in the Champions League, having been knocked out in the second qualifying round last season.
Defender Cosmin Moti saved two shootout penalties against Steaua Bucharest to send Ludogorets into the group stage of the Champions League for the first time.
The centre-half, 29, stood in after keeper Vladislav Stoyanov was sent off in the final minute of extra time.
"We'll respect them like we would if we were playing Real Madrid," said Rodgers.
Champions League Group B |
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Real Madrid
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FC Basel
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Liverpool
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Ludogorets Razgrad
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"They play an open, attacking style and they'll come here with confidence."
Liverpool will be without defender Martin Skrtel for Tuesday's game.
The 29-year-old Slovakia international has returned to training after missing the last two games with a knee injury but Rodgers said the game had come too soon for Skrtel.
Joe Allen is also missing after failing to recover from a knee injury.
Allen's fellow midfielder Emre Can (ankle), forward Daniel Sturridge and defender Glen Johnson (both thigh) are also still out.
Winger Lazar Markovic is suspended.
BBC Sport
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