Premier League still takes priority over Champions League, insists Real Madrid conqueror Alan Kennedy

However, as much as Kennedy will be cheering on his former club over those two legs, it's the chase for domestic honours in shape of a 19th league title that is his main focus this season.

"I have to say at the moment my concern is the Premier League," said Kennedy.

"First of all I want Liverpool to concentrate on that, starting with the game at Arsenal on Sunday. Liverpool must do all they can to make sure they're still top of the League when they take on Real in February.

"But it's a fantastic draw, and for the fans especially. A lot of people I've spoken to were there in Paris 27 years ago and remember how we won the European Cup."

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee isn't one of them.

He was somewhat less enthused about the draw yesterday, understandably more preoccupied with the Arsenal game at the end of a week in which he has warmed the reins while Rafael Benitez has been recovering from his kidney stones operation.

"Alan Kennedy," was his short and simple answer when asked what his memories of Bob Paisley's third European Cup triumph as manager were.

Kennedy, however, recalls only too clearly the role Lee played in his winning goal.

He said: "We had to change the team around when Kenny Dalglish had to go off injured and Jimmy Case was brought on.

"Jimmy played wide on the right and Sammy moved inside. He came over to the left and I thought he was going to take a throw-in, but Ray Kennedy threw it to me and I managed to go on and score the goal.

"Of course, it brings back great memories for me, you can never forget anything like that.

"Of course, this is going to be different. It's over two legs. Liverpool must be in the top four to win the competition and I expect them to go through.

"Real have a temporary manager in Juande Ramos and I don't want him turning it around before the tie."

European champions Manchester United will take on Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the last 16.

And Chelsea will face a reunion with former manager Claudio Ranieri after being paired with Juventus, while Arsenal will take on Roma.

The English clubs all avoided favourites Barcelona, who face French champions Lyon. Elsewhere in the draw, Villarreal face Panathinaikos; Sporting Lisbon tackle Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid play Porto.

Mourinho famously enjoyed success against United as Porto manager on his way to winning the Champions League in 2004 and then went on to develop a fierce rivalry with Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson, after moving to Chelsea.

Champions League last 16 draw: Chelsea v Juventus; Villarreal v Panathinaikos; Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich; Atletico Madrid v Porto; Lyon v Barcelona; Real Madrid v Liverpool; Arsenal v Roma; Inter Milan v Manchester United. Ties to be played on February 24 and 25 and March 10 and 11.