Atlético Madrid Javier Aguirre has played down Fernando Torres's emotional return to his hometown club.

Group D has been earmarked as the "Group of Death" after Atlético Madrid joined the likes of Liverpool FC, PSV Eindhoven and Olympique de Marseille from Pot 4 but talk of Torres returning back to his spiritual home has already seen Liverpool's clash with the Spanish club has taken on an added significance.

Aguirre said: "[The game against Liverpool] is going to be Liverpool versus Atlético and not Fernando Torres against Sergio Agüero - it's eleven against eleven."

"'El Niño' [Torres] will be back here where he played and of course we all know him. As well as Torres they have many good players, just as we have here."

"I can't wait for the moment the Champions League starts, so we can play some good football and hopefully qualify from our group."

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry admitted that the Reds were simply pleased to be part of the draw after Standard Liege nearly produced an upset in the qualifying round.

Parry remarked: "It's not easy but the three teams are fairly close by and there's no challenging trip."

"There are no easy games - you just take it as it comes. We are just delighted to be in it. "

Marseille coach Erik Gerets believes that Group D has thrown one heck of a draw.

He explained: "In principle, Liverpool are the favourites in Group D. But I think Atlético are just as strong. Eindhoven are going to win their title easily so we should not underestimate this team."

"They are in the competition every year and have the benefit of a lot of European experience."

"We can't say that we are happy with the draw, but if we qualify we will be ecstatic."

PSV defender Dirk Marcellis admitted that his side face a tough assignment to emerge unscathed form Group D.

"This is a hard one. It's a pity that we also drew Atlético in our group."

"When you get a smaller side from Pot 4 then you have a good draw. "

"No, it is very tough. Liverpool are the favourites, absolutely, but behind them I think the three other teams are all evenly matched."

"I would rather play in Spain than, for instance, in Belarus. But it will definitely be tough."