New Champions League blow for Liverpool

Liverpool’s chances of playing in next year’s Champions League were dealt another blow when UEFA said the competition would not be devalued by the absence of the defending champions.

A fourth-place finish in the Barclays Premiership appears increasingly unlikely but Anfield chiefs have been holding out hope they could qualify for next year’s top club competition by winning it this season, having held Chelsea to a goalless draw in the first leg of their semi-final.