The Reds will end a five-year exile from Europe’s elite club competition when they welcome Bulgarian side Ludogorets to Anfield on Tuesday evening

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool’s return to the Champions League is a positive for everyone in the tournament, insisting the competition “needs” the club.

Liverpool host Bulgarian side Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday in a game that will mark their first Champions League match since 2009 after finishing second in the Premier League last season.

Rodgers is relishing managing the Reds in Europe’s elite club competition and, while he is eager to ensure they progress from a group that also contains Basel and Real Madrid, the 41-year-old’s main focus is to ensure the club become a regular presence once again.

“We’re very excited to be in the Champions League. Five years is a long time to be out of it for a club like Liverpool,” Rodgers told reporters. 

“Our overriding objective first of all is to qualify and come out of the group. We’ll take it one game at a time and aim for three points.

“It is one of the great clubs with a rich European heritage, and the competition needs Liverpool in it.

“The key is to ensure we remain in it for the long term, and it is a challenge that excites us as well – for us there is no fear, we will embrace it.”