Heading for the CL qualifiers

Phony

"Liverpool, while aware that the rules do not guarantee their place after they finished fifth in the Barclays Premiership, believe that European footballÕs governing body has complicated the issue. ÒSurely the only decision is whether weÕre in or out,Ó a source at Anfield said. ÒIf weÕre in, the rules clearly state that, as holders, we go straight to the group stages."

"The clubÕs stance is based not on the threat to their tour to Japan, where they are to play Shimizu S-Pulse on July 27 and Kashima Antlers three days later, but on points of principle, including the precedent when Real Madrid, with the Spanish football federationÕs backing, qualified directly for the group stages as holders in 2000 after finishing fifth in La Liga. On that occasion, Real Zaragoza, who finished fourth, went into the Uefa Cup, but the FA made clear that their support of Liverpool would not be at the expense of Everton, who finished fourth in the Premiership."

and what if any means of appeal do we have or are we meant to be gracious for being allowed to defend our title after giving the football world one of the greatest nights of the game(by popular opinion)?

-- "Luis Garcia laughed off suggestions that a Spanish referee would help the Reds in the CL final."