Source : BBC Sports
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm
Liverpool have been given the chance to defend their Champions
League crown after Uefa handed them a place in the first qualifying
round for next season.
The Reds beat AC Milan in last season's final but, because they
finished out of the Premiership's top four, were not guaranteed
entry in 2005-2006.
Uefa's executive committee changed its rules on Friday to allow
Liverpool in.
"We wish to express our thanks to those who supported us and
campaigned," said chief executive Rick Parry.
The key points:
* Liverpool get the smallest share of England's television money if
they reach the group stages.
* But any other English teams involved - from Chelsea, Arsenal,
Manchester United and Everton - will still get less money than they
would have done were Liverpool not involved.
* Liverpool get no "country protection" preventing them meeting
other English clubs. But they are seeded. This means they could
face Everton in the third qualifying round, but not Manchester
United, and could be in a group with Chelsea, but not
Arsenal.
* In future, the title holders will be entered automatically.
Rafael Benitez's men will now face a first qualifying round first
leg on 12 or 13 July and a second leg on 19 or 20 July.
That means they will now probably have to cancel scheduled
friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne.
And if successful in the first qualifying round, they will probably
also have to cancel a pre-season tour of Japan, where they are due
to play Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers.
Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson told BBC Radio Five Live
the decision by the 14-man executive committee was unanimous.
"Unanimous means that everybody is supporting it. By definition,
that is also the case here.
"There were no discussions actually on where they should enter the
competition because everybody was of the opinion they should be
given the opportunity but they have to start from the
beginning.
"They could not be allowed to get into the 32 for example."
But while there is joy for Liverpool, there has been disappointment
for Manchester City.
The Uefa Cup spot which Liverpool had earned for finishing fifth in
the Premiership will not transfer to another English club so City,
who would have been next in line, will not be in Europe.
And it is likely that Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and
Everton will be unhappy at potentially sharing the television money
with one other club.
Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted splitting the pot five
ways rather than four will be "a burden on the other English-based
clubs".
If Manchester United or Everton fail to reach the group stage but
Liverpool do the pot could go back to being split four ways - but
anyone involved from England will still get less because of the
Reds.
If four English clubs reach the group stages, Chelsea will get 40%,
Arsenal 30% and two out of Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton
will get 15% each.
If all five get through Uefa will think again.
But while the others will feel hard done by, even Liverpool have
suffered in comparison with other Champions League winners.
Normally the title holders get 30% of the money for their country
if they are not also the domestic champions.
Meanwhile Uefa insists the saga which has dogged it since Liverpool
finished fifth domestically and then won the Champions League will
never be repeated.
"The Uefa executive committee decided to amend the regulations for
the future editions of the Champions League, so that the holders
will have the right to defend their title and therefore qualify
automatically," said a statement on the organisation's
website.
The new system is in marked contrast to 2000, when Real Madrid won
the Champions League but finished outside of Spain's qualification
positions.
On that occasion fourth-placed Real Zaragoza were relegated to the
Uefa Cup.
Reacting to the news, Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann told BBC
Radio Five Live: "It's tremendous news, great for the club.
"We've still got two or three weeks to prepare, which should be
enough to get in physical shape to cope with the pre-season
schedule."
And Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick added: "We
thank the Uefa executive committee and especially its president
Lennart Johansson for listening to the strength of the argument for
Liverpool's entry.
"We always said that this was an exceptional situation which
required an exceptional solution. For the very first time, one
country has five teams in the Champions League and we have to be
delighted at that.
"We believed there were very strong sporting reasons for Liverpool
to defend their title, not least after that fantastic final in
Istanbul. That view has prevailed, and rightly so."
Sports minister Richard Caborn added: "I'm delighted that Uefa have
decided to allow Liverpool to defend their trophy.
"This is a triumph for common sense and the spirit of sport. I look
forward to the start of the new season and the British clubs making
a powerful impact again."
But some Liverpool supporters are unhappy with the decision.
Les Lawson, spokesman for the Liverpool International Supporters'
Club, said: "Uefa have been caught with egg on their faces over
this because the FA put the first four in the Premiership into next
season's tournament.
"It means Uefa have had to sort it out and they have done the
minimum possible. They have treated their own champions with
contempt.
"It is a disgrace. Liverpool are the top team in Europe because
they are the holders and have beaten Europe's best. They are being
treated like TNS or other very small clubs.
"To be told they have to start in the first qualifier is wrong and
a real kick in the teeth."
And Alan Kennedy, who scored the winning goal for the Reds in the
1981 final against Real Madrid, added: "Coming in at the early
stages disregards where Liverpool finished in the Champions
League.
"They won it, so they should be entitled to be in at the third
qualifying round."