Last year, this column paid tribute to Manchester United's 20th European Cup campaign. In 2008, United marked that milestone as holders of the coveted Champions League trophy.
Liverpool, United's Lanchasire rivals, are also making their 20th appearance in this competition this season. Like United, the Reds went on to lift the European Cup on their fourth showing.
Liverpool figured as follows:
1964-65: semi-finals
1966-67: second round
1973-74: second round
1976-77: Winners
1977-78: Winners
1978-79: first round
1979-80: first round
1980-81: Winners
1981-82: quarter-final
1982-83: quarter-final
1983-84: Winners
1984-85: final
2001-02: quarter-final
2002-03: group phase
2004-05: Winners
2005-06: first round knock-out
2006-07: final
2007-08: semi-final
2008-09: quarter-final
The opening group matches in this season's Champions League were positive for British clubs as all four English sides won and Rangers earned an away draw.
Arsenal recorded a dramatic win in Liege, edging the Belgians 3-2 (Bendtner, Vermaelen, Eduardo) after falling two goals behind inside the first five minutes. Manchester United also obtained a significant victory in Turkey, defeating Besiktas 1-0 (Scholes).
Chelsea had to work hard to preserve their 1-0 (Anelka) lead against Porto at Stamford Bridge. The same goes for Liverpool (Kuyt) against Hungarian minnows Debrecen at Anfield.
Rangers, the Scottish champions, shared the spoils with Stuttgart in a 1-1 (Bougherra) draw in Germany.
The second group games will be played next Tuesday and Wednesday. The four English sides will be facing new opponents in the European competition: Manchester United vs Wolfsburg (Germany); Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus) vs Chelsea; Fiorentina (Italy) vs Liverpool and Arsenal vs Olympiakos (Greece).
Rangers have already met Spanish side Sevilla before.
German champions Wolfsburg, who clinched their first ever Bundesliga title last season, are also known as the Volkswagen team since the club emerged from a multi-sports club for the workers of the famous car manufacturer that owns all the team's assets.
Wolfsburg's only connection with an English side came last season in a one-match UEFA Cup tie against Portsmouth, whom they beat 3-2 at Fratton Park.
United's last clash with a German side was against Stuttgart in the group phase of the 2003/04 Champions League. The points were shared on that occasion as both teams won their home tie − Stuttgart 2-1 and United 2-0.
Next week, United will host the German champions at Old Trafford where they are undefeated in their last 21 matches (not including qualifying games) − 16 wins and five draws. Their last upset came at the hands of Milan in the last 16 round of the 2004-05 tournament (0-1).
Chelsea must be relishing their trip to Nicosia to face minnows Apoel. The Cypriots' first visit to Britain came in 1968-69 when they played Scottish side Dunfermline in the first round of the Cup Winners' Cup. After a 10-1 home victory, Dunfermline won 2-0 away.
Apoel Nicosia are the most successful club in Cyprus, having won the domestic championship on 20 occasions.
Good away record
Fiorentina's last encounter with an English team was against another Liverpool club - Everton - in the fourth round of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup. The Italians prevailed 4-2 on penalties after both clubs had won their home tie 2-0.
Fiorentina, under shrewd coach Cesare Prandelli, have improved significantly and will be looking forward to their meeting with the Reds at their own Artemio Franchi stadium.
On their part, Liverpool will be keen to produce another commendable performance in the Champions League.
In their past eight visits to Italy, Liverpool lost three matches, thus:
1964-65 (European Cup SF) vs Inter 0-3
1965-66 (Cup Winners' Cup first round) vs Juventus 0-1
1983-84 (European Cup final, Rome) vs Roma 1-1 - won 5-3 on penalties
1991-92 (UEFA Cup quarter-final) vs Genoa 0-2
2000-01 (UEFA Cup fourth round) vs Roma 2-0
2001-02 (Champions League group phase) vs Roma 0-0
2004-05 (Champions League quarter-final) vs Juventus 0-0
2007-08 (Champions League second round) vs Inter 1-0
Arsenal face Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium.
The Greek champions are the most successful club in their country, winning the championship 37 times. Olympiakos have never been relegated from the top division.
Last season, Olympiakos played Chelsea in the second round of the Champions League, bowing out 3-0 on aggregate.
In their five clashes with Greek sides in England, the Gunners have never lost:
1981-82 (UEFA Cup first round) vs Panathinaikos 1-0
1997-98 (UEFA Cup first round) vs PAOK Salonika 1-1
1998-99 (Champions League group match) vs Panathinaikos 2-1
2001-02 (Champions League group match) vs Panathinaikos 2-1
2004-05 (Champions League group match) vs Panathinaikos 1-1
Scottish champions Rangers will entertain La Liga crack side Sevilla at Ibrox Park next week.
These two sides met on another occasion in the first round of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962-63. Rangers trounced the Spaniards 4-0 at Ibrox and lost the return 0-2.