UEFA rankings show just how far Liverpool have fallen in recent years

It seems hard to remember now.

But not so long ago Liverpool were one of the most feared sides in the Champions League. With two Champions League finals in three seasons under Rafa Benitez, another semi-final appearance in 2007-08 and a place in the last eight in 2008-09 Liverpool were one of the most formidable and consistent performers on European football's biggest stage for a five-year period. Their league form in this period was mixed, but when the European nights came around Benitez's side were not to be messed with. Barcelona were beaten in the Nou Camp, a Juventus side featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved, Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gigi Buffon were beaten at Anfield by a Liverpool XI which featured Anthony Le Tallec, Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, Djimi Traore and Scott Carson, Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 at Anfield (5-0 on aggregate). Then it all went wrong, Benitez was sacked and replaced by Roy Hodgson and the financial troubles under Tom Hicks and George Gillett sent the club into freefall. When current owners FSG took over the club in 2010 Liverpool were 5th in Uefa's rankings. Today they languish in 55th, behind the likes of Metalist Kharkiv, Trabzonspor, Genk, APOEL and Victoria Plzen. Brendan Rodgers' side face Bordeaux in their opening Europa League fixture on Thursday evening, with rumours abound that FSG are actively trying to sell the club. It would seem a long way back to being the 5th best side in Europe for any prospective buyer.