Houllier backs Liverpool Champions League case

Former manager Gerard Houllier has waded into the debate on Liverpool’s Champions League predicament by claiming UEFA should allow the holders of the competition to defend their title.

As things stand Liverpool could beat AC Milan in the final in Istanbul later this month and not be in next season’s Champions League as Merseyside rivals Everton are virtually guaranteed the all-important fourth place in the Barclays Premiership.

But Houllier, who left Anfield last year, believes European football’s governing body should find a fifth spot for English clubs in the 2005-06 season if the Reds are crowned kings of the continent for a fifth time in their history.

“They should be allowed to defend the title,” Houllier said. “By virtue of a fifth place.

“It is a massive achievement, reaching the final of that competition is always something special.

“It would be very hard for Everton (not to be in) because they have been in the top four all season and were second for a time.”

Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, who missed last week’s semi-final second-leg win over Chelsea, added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The champion of a competition has to play the next year or it is not common sense.”

Domestic champions Chelsea were knocked out by a controversial goal from Xabi Alonso’s compatriot Luis Garcia, which was awarded despite television pictures proving inconclusive on whether the ball had crossed the line or not.

That incident in such a high-profile match has led to renewed calls for the introduction of technology into the sport.

Dr Paul Hawkins, whose Hawkeye technology is used in both tennis and cricket, told the Sportsweek programme, his system could be modified for football so that officials could be informed whether a ball had crossed the line within five seconds.

“We think we can provide a camera-based system which is accurate, fast, reliable, practical and cost effective, which are the five criteria FIFA – if they decide to go down this road – should be looking for a system to provide,” Hawkins said.

Houllier for one would be in favour of such an introduction for potential ’goals’ but would not recommend wholesale changes to the game.

“If we can find something simple which does not cost a lot then yes I would be in favour for goal-line decisions but our game should not be too rationalised, it is a game of emotion and passion.”

Meanwhile, Houllier believes Liverpool’s achievement will be enough to convince captain Steven Gerrard to stay at the club.

“I wish for the Liverpool fans that he stays and I think Stevie knows what he wants to do.

“I think he is very happy, he is captain of the team, so I am confident he will stay.”