Reds fight to defend title

LIVERPOOL'S hopes of playing in the Champions League next season are still alive despite UEFA's insistence England can have a maximum of four teams in Europe's elite club competition.

Several leading figures in European football have been persuaded Liverpool should be allowed to defend their trophy without taking the place of Everton, who finished fourth in the Premiership.

A final decision will be taken in three weeks' time when UEFA's 15-man executive committee meets in Manchester on June 17.

The Football Association, who have already decided the top four sides in the Premiership will play in the Champions League, are to intensify lobbying to persuade UEFA members that Liverpool should qualify.

It is understood Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer is among those who have been convinced Liverpool should defend their crown. Beckenbauer is not on the executive committee but he is standing for election to be the next UEFA president.

FA executive director David Davies said he would step up the pressure on UEFA.

Davies said: "What we expect is that over the next three weeks a number of senior figures in European football - who are not English - will speak out on Liverpool's behalf.

"We understand UEFA's situation but we believe that for sporting reasons and for the wider interests of European football Liverpool should get a exemption. We think there is a clear inconsistency that countries such as Germany, which have three sides in the Champions League, would get an extra place in this situation but England, Italy and Spain do not.

"UEFA have to address this situation now."

UEFA communications director William Gaillard insists he expects Liverpool to be playing in the UEFA Cup next season because a precedent had been 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.

He said: "The rules are what they are. They were used already once when Real Madrid won... and actually were not among the qualifiers in the Spanish league.

"There could be a discussion with the executive committee but we don't normally change rules in the middle of the competition."

UEFA president Lennart Johansson, is also understood to have told Liverpool chairman David Moores that he would try to help the club.

A senior UEFA figure said: "If the president decides he wants Liverpool to be the fifth English side in Europe then he can try to persuade the executive committee to change the rules. It is in their power and he has definitely left the door open for discussion."

Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez said it would be "unbelievable" if his side were not allowed to defend their trophy, while chief executive Rick Parry claimed "the world would want to see us have the opportunity to defend it."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick insisted: "What UEFA have, and I sympathise with them to a degree, is a situation where they are faced with not having their own champions in their own competition which is called the Champions League. I think in its own way that tells its own story."

Meanwhile, Liverpool's conquering heroes brought the European Cup back for keeps last night in an emotional return to the city.

The main routes into the city were gridlocked as an estimated quarter of a million fans brought Liverpool to a standstill.

Manager Rafael Benitez joined his players at the front of the bus, brandishing the trophy, and said: "Seeing these smiling faces is the greatest pleasure.

"They have been magnificent all season, they have been our 12th man and behaved perfectly in Istanbul.

"I have always said our fans are the best in England. Now I know they are the best in Europe too."

Captain Steven Gerrard said: "These fans have inspired us, so it is great to bring the cup back for them. They were fantastic in Turkey, and they really lifted us to victory after that first half when we were 3-0 down. I said we would bring the cup back for these fans, and now we have."

Earlier in the day Gerrard's advisors revealed they held secret talks with Liverpool over his new contract while the club were preparing for their historic Champions League triumph.

Gerrard's agent Straun Marshall held meetings with Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry to pave the way to the Liverpool captain signing a new deal which could be worth as much as £5 million (€7.3m) a year.

Chelsea are believed to have offered him £120,000 a week, but the lure of staying with his home town club and playing for the European champions seems to have finally swung Gerrard into staying at Anfield.

Why Liverpool were destined to be champions

1978 and 2005 coincidences

The Pope dies.

The Welsh rugby team wins the Grand Slam title.

The League winners (1978Nottingham Forest) and the Premiership winners (2005 Chelsea) beat Liverpool in the League Cup final.

Liverpool are crowned champions of Europe. 1981 and 2005 coincidences

Prince Charles gets married.

Coronation Street's Ken and Deirdre get married.

There is a new Doctor Who.

Norwich City and Crystal Palace are both relegated.

Liverpool win 17 league games and finish 5th.

Liverpool are crowned champions of Europe.