Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has expressed his excitement ahead of this afternoon's Champions League group stage draw in Monaco.

The Reds are in the hat for the draw for the first time in five years after finishing as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League last season.

Due to their UEFA rankings, the Reds could potentially face reigning champions Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund or Juventus.

"I can't wait for the draw to get underway and see who we're up against," Allen told the club's official website. "I've heard a lot about the Champions League nights at Anfield and away. I can't wait to be a part of it.

"There is a part of me, of course, that wants to come up against the best teams and the best players. You have to have the confidence that you can.

"But, at the same time, an 'easier' group would do quite nicely. Mind you, there's no such thing as an easy group in the Champions League."

Liverpool have won five European Cups, the most recent being in 2005.