If I remember correctly, bookmakers rate Liverpool as 5-7 title contenders. Yes, luck may smile on them (if Real is eliminated before a personal meeting with Liverpool), but still, the strategy for the season is built around the national championship, since the Champions League is random. In any case, the group stage of the Champions League is not the stage where clubs play at full strength or show their cards.
The UEFA Champions League group stage is simply nothing, there'd always heavy presence of opposing threats and actions from clubs. There's always momentum for these clubs to fight for crucial points and winning is among their priorities. We know clubs that will enchanced their performance until they're in the top phases in the UEFA Champions League. It's going to be entertaining to watch these clubs become very elite and competitive because everyone keen on winning.