UEFA should let the winners defend title Rushie Distribution: world Keywords: world

Liverpool Echo, 26 April 2005 UEFA should let the winners defend title By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

UEFA should put us all out of our misery and announce the Champions League winners will defend their title, regardless of where they finish in their domestic table.

And they should confirm the fourth-placed side qualifies at the same time.

Although it remains hypothetical until Liverpool win, surely UEFA have prepared for this eventuality before?

It would be ridiculous if a side was unable to defend their trophy. Equally unfair would be denying the side who finished in a Champions League spot what they're entitled to.

I don't understand why UEFA can't make a decision which would reflect the extraordinary circumstances and allow England a fifth place.

If Liverpool pull off a few more amazing results but finish the season behind Everton, I can see a potential legal minefield ahead.

Both clubs will fight their corner and have strong case and it could turn into a long, drawn out affair.

There's too much money at stake for either side to simply accept any decision which goes against them, particularly as it would have come so late in the day.

That's why I'm surprised UEFA haven't planned for a special case. They have so many qualifying rounds these days, surely a compromise could be reached?

I'm sure even if Liverpool were asked to play an extra qualifying round they'd agree, if the only alternative was to go straight into the UEFA Cup.

UEFA want the Champions League to include the strong-est teams in Europe, so it's unthinkable for them not to have their holders in the event.

Years ago there was never an issue about whether the holders were reentered.

In 1981 I was just breaking into the Liverpool side which finished well below the League Champions, Aston Villa, but managed to win the European Cup.

We were allowed to try to defend the competition a year later. The same thing happened in 1978 when Nottingham Forest beat Liverpool to Division One.

As European champions, Liverpool earned automatic qualification.

I'm not sure why the same rule doesn't apply now, even though more teams from different countries are allowed to enter.

Perhaps we're all thinking too far ahead of ourselves. It's not as though winning the European Cup is getting any easier the further Liverpool get.

Quite the opposite, in fact. But the longer this issue is allowed to linger without any clear decision about what will happen, the more chance there is of a qualifying round being played in the courts rather than on a football pitch.

Away goals Reds' big problem

OF Liverpool's ten away defeats in the Premiership, nine have been 1-0.

Clearly, the inability to score goals away from home has been a key factor in the struggle to claim fourth spot.

Rafa Benitez's side lack pace in key areas, and that's why they've struggled so much on their travels.

At Anfield, many teams sit back and invite pressure.

Whereas Liverpool under Gerard Houllier struggled to break defences down, now the side has the creativity to make the most of their possession.

Interestingly, it's the opposite on the road. Houllier's side had power and pace, with the likes of Michael Owen and Emile Heskey often effective, and they enjoyed a lot of success in away games.

Benitez's side struggles because they can't hit teams on the break quickly enough.

This will only be resolved when players who can turn defence into attack much quicker are recruited, whether they're wingers, strikers or attackers.

That's why I feel after a few years talking about poor home form and good away days, this season has been the complete reverse.

Rafa's team talk: More of the same

RAFA Benitez's team talk prior to the trip to Chelsea should be easy enough.

He should play the video of the recent match in Turin and say "same again".

I'm sure it will feel more like a Premiership rather than European game to the players. It will be strange for them after so many trips abroad to only travel to London, but the same principles must be applied.

I feel any result which gives Liverpool a chance at Anfield would be a fantastic result. Even if Benitez's side only loses by a single goal, they'd return to Merseyside in confident mood.

Having the second leg at home is a great advantage, but only if you still have a chance in the tie.

Stamford Bridge will be a wonderful place tomorrow, but I'm betting on Anfield providing an even more memorable experience this time next week.