Confirmed liao...Liverpool in Champion League

zorro82 SG

Liverpool WILL be able to defend their Champions League trophy next season after UEFA today granted them a place in the first qualifying round of the competition.
Following a telephone conference between the 14 members of UEFA's executive committee it was decided that Rafael Benitez's European champions should be invited to take part in next year's competition despite finishing outside the top four in the Premiership.

It means that England will now have five representatives in next season's competition after UEFA agreed the winners should have the right to defend the title they won so dramatically in Istanbul.

The first qualifying round will be played on 12/13 and 19/20 July, with the draw taking place on 24 June.

The full statement from UEFA.com reads as follows:

The UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool FC will compete in next season's UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

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. At the same time, the number of clubs allowed per national association will remain stable based on coefficient ranking.

Exceptionally, for the upcoming season, the Executive Committee today decided to allow the current Champions League holders to defend their title. The UEFA Executive Committee also decided that:

Liverpool would enter the competition in the first qualifying round, to be played on 12/13 and 19/20 July, with the draw taking place on 24 June.

There will be no country protection for Liverpool.

Liverpool will be included in the English market pool share with the status of lowest-placed English club.

Source: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149070050610-1059.htm

X-men SG

Is this good or bad? Confused

CoolMyth SG

For more news refer to this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm

But the repercussions could be bad. They'll start their season one month before the rest. Let's just pray and hope for the best....

F Takumi SG

UEFA has really made a bad decision this time. They set a precedent when Zaragoza had to sacrifice for Real Madrid to play in UCL. Now they allow LFC to play without the English FA having to withdraw another club.

Patrik SG

Life is never fair in this world.

hmsg SG

it will be good in the following:

- gets to defend title & get revenue
- gets more games for the new team to gel
- early start ensure their prem start will be in reasonable form

F Takumi SG

I know that life is never fair, but I wouldn't want accusing fingers pointing at us for taking the back route, especially from Zaragoza and their supporters.

Bochupi SG

lol, dont think there's a need for the team to perform in the EPL also....just make sure you win the Champion's league every season and you can play in it for as long as you like. You only need to play less than 20 matches instead of the 38 matches in the EPL. You can even get relegated and get to play in the Champion's league since you were champion the season before. Nice right?? Mr. Green

Poolman SG

It's all about $$$ !

Win or lose , you're almost confirmed a certain amt of $$$ .

Just by appearing in the UCL , it's better off than winning 3 FA Cups and 3 Carling Cups .

Thats' precisely the big different .

To compete for the Best , we need $$$ to contain a big squad , just relying on revenue from the gate $$ is not enuf , TV revenue is so much more luctrative .

Do you know , winning the European Cup , LIverpool is at least 40 million richer ?

Not forgetting Carlsberg was so impressed with LFC , and they recently signed an extension to the jersey deal .

Liverpool is quite a decently rich club , and winning the Eurpean Clubs amke the club richer . And with those endorsement , we're are safe from debt , and thanks to the UEFA Champion's League .

F Takumi SG

Nottingham Forest FC has won the UCL twice Shocked

TIB1133B SG

And have been relegated to League I, which is the third tier of the English league.