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.
But the Anfield club will get a smaller slice of television revenue
than the other four Premiership teams involved.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton will still get less
money than they would have done had Liverpool not been granted a
place, however.
Spokesman William Gaillard admitted splitting the pot five ways
rather than four will be "a burden on the other English-based
clubs".
Liverpool will also get no "country protection" which means if they
progress through the qualifying stages they could face Everton or
Manchester United - who enter at the third qualifying round.
If the Reds make it through to the group stages, they could be
drawn to face Chelsea, who they beat in the semi-finals last
season, or Arsenal.
But first Rafael Benitez's men must face a first qualifying round
tie, with the first leg being played on 12 or 13 July and the
second on 19 or 20 July.
LIVERPOOL'S FIXTURE CONGESTION
Champions League
12-13 July: 1st round, 1st leg
19-20 July: 1st round, 2nd leg
26-27 July: 2nd round, 1st leg
2-3 Aug: 2nd round, 2nd leg
9-10 Aug: 3rd round, 1st leg
23-24 Aug: 3rd round, 2nd leg
Pre-season
16 July: v Bayer Leverkusen
22 July: FC Cologne
27 July: Shimizu S-Pulse
30 July: Kashima Antlers
Super Cup
26 Aug: v CSKA Moscow
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.
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.
