Liverpool Cannot Defend Title

Uefa has insisted it has no plans to change its rules to allow Liverpool to defend their Champions League crown.

The Reds finished fifth in the Premiership - a place outside automatic qualification for the Champions League.

"I fully sympathise with the club and I would love to have them in there - but we have rules," Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We can't change them in the middle of the season. The FA has said Everton are the fourth English club to qualify."

Gaillard insisted that the precedent set in the 2000-01 season, when Real Madrid defended the trophy despite finishing fifth because the Spanish football federation decided to hand them Real Zaragoza's place, would make no difference.


We believe there is widespread support for Liverpool to be involved and we intend to keep lobbying and campaiging
FA spokesman David Davies

But the English Football Assoctiation has pledged its support to Liverpool's quest for a Champions League place after the breathtaking win over AC Milan in Istanbul.

"We think there should be a place for Liverpool in next season's Champions League for sporting reasons - and also in the wider interests of European football," said the FA's David Davies.

"This is a case we've been arguing for some time and we'll go on raising it. I'm quite optimistic that over the next few days you will see a significant number of influential, non-English figures speaking out on Liverpool's behalf.

"We believe there is widespread support for Liverpool to be involved and we intend to keep lobbying and campaiging.

"There is a significant meeting of the Uefa committee on 17 June which just happens to be taking place in Manchester," added Davies.


It is called the Champions League so the champions should be able to defend it Steven Gerrard

And Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted his team should be allowed back into the Champions League next season.

"We have won the trophy. It is common sense that the winner should defend the title," said Benitez.

"It's quite unbelievable to even consider that a side who will play in the European Super Cup as well as the World Club Championship next season should not be allowed back into the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has also made his own plea to Uefa: "Look at the support, the worldwide audience and the game.

"I think we have to be given a shot. We are worthy champions and I think that's what the world will say."

Liverpool get to keep the European Cup trophy after winning it for the fifth time by beating AC Milan on penalties.

But their participation in the competition has been in doubt since the Football Association decided that the top four in the Premiership would take up England's places next season.

Parry added: "At least we get to keep this one so they can't take it back off us if nothing else.

"You wouldn't have given a lot for our chances at half-time but the boys were absolutely magnificent.

"It's good to win it for the supporters because they were magnificent."

And Reds skipper Steven Gerrard added: "It is called the Champions League so the champions should be able to defend it."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Yes, I think they should be allowed to defend the title."

Im sorry but I think its fair that 'Pool will not be able to defend their title. The CL next year will be a whole new season with new champions with some teams with different squads from this year.

Liverpool knew what was at stake - finish top 4 in England or you're out. To win the CL and maintaining top 4 in the league might be slightly difficult but 'Pool knew they had to do it or else. And they didnt. It was their own undoing.

even the world cup champions cannot defend their crown without qualifying now. Brazil has to go through a qualifying process even though they won last time.

Thats the best way.
maybe next year liverpool will not be the same as this year.
You saw what happened to FcPorto last year champion,inter beat them so easy

as i said earlier, liverpool, and fc porto, will not win an CL trophy for at least another 10-20 years. they jost got extremely lucky.

In this programme "Football Crazy" today nearly 20 people sent messages of things like "Liverpool rocks" etc etc, but ONE fan said - "The CL is for champions. Liverpool are not champions. We wont see you next year" I thought that was hilarious

No, I dissagree. Milan and United won the Champions league without being champions of Italy. Now the Champions of Europe cant defend thier title. Its a joke. The whole point of the CL is to field the elite of Europe. Obviously you have to deserve it, but Liverpool have won the hardest club trophy there is. They deserve it.

Originally Posted by Nadir

as i said earlier, liverpool, and fc porto, will not win an CL trophy for at least another 10-20 years. they jost got extremely lucky.

Dont bet against Liverpool my friend, they share a simillar history to Milan are a great club who can attract real players. They are no FC Porto.

I don't care, honestly. They were helped by some mysterious force this year. They won't win next year, they may not pass the group stage, as wonderful their coach is.

We cant call it a mysterious force anymore. We seem to be meeting it quite often and we almost on first name terms with this force.

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Dont bet against Liverpool my friend, they share a simillar history to Milan are a great club who can attract real players. They are no FC Porto.

trust me on this one. yes they have a pedigree but unless they can really mount a challenge in the EPL, nobody is going to come to them. and a team like juve will slaughter them the next time around. i am not so sure about milan because milan just play half a game these days lol.

well they will struggle to sign players if they dont qualify for the CL, but I have a feeling they will be let in. They have a manager who seems to be following mourinhio. Both won the Uefa Cup followed by the CL. There are some class players to. Risse, Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia, Barros, Cisse, Morientes
and surely some more to come. Anelkas already asking to go back

Originally Posted by K77SH C

well they will struggle to sign players if they dont qualify for the CL, but I have a feeling they will be let in. They have a manager who seems to be following mourinhio. Both won the Uefa Cup followed by the CL. There are some class players to. Risse, Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia, Barros, Cisse, Morientes
and surely some more to come. Anelkas already asking to go back

From what I have heard, Baros will be allowed to leave at the end of the season. If they can get Morientes and Cisse fit and playing together, they could be a dangerous partnership, but I can't see them repeating this CL campaign again next year. As for Anelka, if he did ever return to Anfield, he would probably be chased out of the city - I hear he's not the most popular player amongst their fans.

trust me. even if they make it into the CL, they won't go very far. they just got lucky. 9/10 times they won't beat juve in a 2 legged game. they were very lucky to get to the finals. and they were lucky to face a team like milan (who stop playing after they take the lead).

The FA is being hypocritical, IMO. UEFA sets an upper limit of four participants per country, but it's the leagues that decide how those places get allocated. All the FA has to do is tell Everton to drop down to the UEFA Cup and send Liverpool into CL qualifying, but it's too gutless.