Liverpool face AK Graz in a Champions League qualifier on Tuesday while United travel to Romania to face Dinamo Bucharest on Wednesday.

Both clubs have high hopes for the season, and they will be joined by Chelsea and Arsenal when the group stage begins next month.

England is also represented in the UEFA Cup by Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Millwall - and this years the stakes are higher than ever.

Not only are there millions available in prize money but the title of Europe's most successful country is up for grabs!

England are currently tied with Italy as the league with the most European honours so far - 27 trophies in total.

AC Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma have won 10 UEFA Cups, 10 European Cups and seven Cup Winners Cups between them for Italy.

But England are right up there with 10 UEFA Cup wins, nine European Cups (shared between Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest) and eight Cup Winners Cups.

Liverpool, of course, are the most successful English club of all time, having been crowned European champions on four occasions.

But their last triumph was way back in 1984, and their only modern success was in the Uefa Cup three years ago.

New manager Rafael Benitez is the man charged with putting that right, and he knows victory against Graz is crucial to Liverpool's development.

Having worked so hard last season to finish fourth in the Premiership it would be a tragedy if the Reds missed out on a Champions League campaign by losing in the qualifiers.

England star Steven Gerrard said: "We can't let that happen. And it is my job as captain of the team to make sure the boys go into it with the right attitude and mentality.

"I am certain we can come through this and reach the group stages, it is so important for the club. We have the ability in the squad to see us over this hurdle.

"It is awkward that the Champions League comes before the Premiership season has started, but we have had a good spell in the States and we have got our level of fitness back."

The idea of Manchester United going out of the Champions League even before the group stage begins is almost unthinkable. By they too have a difficult game - and winger Ryan Giggs insists they can take nothing for granted in Bucharest.

He said: "It won't be an easy game and there is no way we can take it for granted. That's not the way Manchester United work anyway. It's a very important match for us and we are completely focused on it.

"Bucharest are a strong side and we need to put in a good performance in the first leg. We all know how important the Champions League is for this club."

All-time European trophy wins - Country by country

 

European Cup

UEFA Cup

Euro CWC

Total

Italy

10

10

7

27

England

9

10

8

27

Spain

10

9

7

26

Germany

6

6

4

16

Holland

5 

4

1

10