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Liverpool handed CL place
by Alex Dunn -  created on 10 Jun 2005


Liverpool have been awarded a place in next season's UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

The European champions will start their qualifying campaign on 12/13 July - with return legs to be played on 19/20 July.

Liverpool had initially been told that they would not be able to defend their trophy, won in a penalty shoot-out against Milan, because they finished outside of the top four in The Premiership.

However, after extensive negotiations, Uefa's executive committee have now concurred on Liverpool's participation.

Rafa Benitez's side now face an exhausting close-season as they will have to play six games to secure a place in the group stages of Europe's premier competition.

Uefa's director of communications, William Gaillard, has spoken exclusively to Sky Sports News and has explained his organisation's decision and the implications for future seasons.

''I think we are looking for a quieter summer at this stage!'' Gaillard told Sky Sports News.

''We have basically amended the rule to make sure there is no ambiguity left.

''As you can see from our statement that says title holders will always have the right to defend the title and therefore qualify automatically - whilst at the same time the number of clubs per national association will remain stable.

''As we say also, Liverpool will be included in the English market pool share with the status of the lowest placed English club.

''There will still be some financial burden on the other four clubs, these calculations will take place later.

''It was decided reasonably quickly and it  was a consensus position after the different aspects were examined and taken into account.''

Manchester City had been hoping Liverpool's participation in the Champions League would free up a Uefa Cup spot but Gaillard has now poured cold water on this suggestion.

''Man City don't get a place. As you can see from the list, we transferred Liverpool from the Uefa Cup but kept the number of clubs in European competitions stable. So that means Bolton and Middlesbrough will represent England in the Uefa Cup,'' he concluded.

''The executive committee decided this was the best solution possible.''