Because Liverpool could still perform to a very good standard on their day despite the fact that they weren't one of the top 2 sides in England. Which is precisely my point.
How could you possibly argue that having to square up against Juve, AC, Barcelona, Real, Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal in the quarters for example is easier than facing the champions of 7 of the leagues. Absurd.
And no, it didnt revert back to the old European Cup format… We had 2 Spanish sides, 2 Italian sides, 2 German sides, and an English side in the quarters with us (for example). Whereas in the old format you would have a Russian side, a Serbian side, a French side etc etc who, despite being champions of their league, would have been weaker than the second or even third (being generous by not saying 4th) placed team in the big European leagues.
I'm not convinced that any logical person could genuinely believe this format isn't much harder to win. Easier to get into, much harder to win.