Football
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Ayre: Liverpool can cope without Suarez in Champions League

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre insisted the club can cope without Luis Suarez when the Reds return to the Champions League.

- Marcotti: Draw kind to Chelsea, tough on Man City

Brendan Rodgers' side will face Real Madrid in Group B as well as Swiss club Basel and Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.

Ayre, speaking after the draw in Monaco, said: "You would never not want Luis -- Luis is a fantastic player and made a fantastic contribution to Liverpool but so did a lot of other people.

"A lot of the goals that Daniel Sturridge scored were amazingly important for us last season and he will still be there banging them in and we were seeing goals from all over the park last season.

"So I think we are in great shape and will keep developing and improving.''

Mario Balotelli should help fill the hole left by Suarez after signing from AC Milan and Ayre added: "Mario is settling in great. Like everyone he's very excited about the season ahead and he's enjoying being part of the team.''

Ayre admitted that Liverpool faced a tough examination having not played in Europe last season.

He added: "If you look at Liverpool as a football club this is our competition, we've won it five times and to play someone who has won it 10 times makes it extra special.

"Of course but we said all along the one thing we wanted to see was progress and progress this summer was bringing in a lot of new faces, it was about adding strength and depth and that's all about being in this competition and the years beyond.

"Is it going to be tough? Of course, but we wouldn't be in it if it wasn't difficult, fun and challenging and we have prepared ourselves well and have good preparations.

"It's an exciting group, it's our competition, we're five-times winners and big nights against teams like Real Madrid is what it's all about.''

Rodgers said he was "excited'' by the draw, especially against Real.

He told the club's official website: "That was last season's hard work, what we were working towards -- getting Liverpool back into a competition where we are synonymous.

"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 special.

"I'm already thinking of Anfield on that night. But there are two other good teams in it along with us. It's a tough group but we'll really look forward to the challenge of getting out of the group.''

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