From BBC Sport.

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Liverpool have been given the chance to defend their Champions League crown after Uefa handed them a place in the first qualifying round for next season.

The Reds beat AC Milan in last season's final but, because they finished out of the Premiership's top four, were not guaranteed entry in 2005-2006.

Uefa's executive committee changed its rules on Friday to allow Liverpool in.

But the Anfield club will get a smaller slice of television revenue than the other four Premiership teams involved.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton will still get less money than they would have done had Liverpool not been granted a place, however.

Spokesman William Gaillard admitted splitting the pot five ways rather than four will be "a burden on the other English-based clubs".

Liverpool will also get no "country protection" which means if they progress through the qualifying stages they could face Everton or Manchester United - who enter at the third qualifying round.

If the Reds make it through to the group stages, they could be drawn to face Chelsea, who they beat in the semi-finals last season, or Arsenal.

But first Rafael Benitez's men must face a first qualifying round tie, with the first leg being played on 12 or 13 July and the second on 19 or 20 July.

That means they will now probably have to cancel scheduled friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne.

And if successful in the first qualifying round, they will probably also have to cancel a pre-season tour of Japan, where they are due to play Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers.

Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson told BBC Radio Five Live the decision by the 14-man executive committee was unanimous.

"Unanimous means that everybody is supporting it. By definition, that is also the case here.
"There were no discussions actually on where they should enter the competition because everybody was of the opinion they should be given the opportunity but they have to start from the beginning.

"They could not be allowed to get into the 32 for example."

But while there is joy for Liverpool, there has been disappointment for Manchester City.

The Uefa Cup spot which Liverpool had earned for finishing fifth in the Premiership will not transfer to another English club so City, who would have been next in line, will not be in Europe.

Uefa insists the saga which has dogged it since Liverpool finished fifth domestically and then won the Champions League will never be repeated.

"The Uefa executive committee decided to amend the regulations for the future editions of the Champions League, so that the holders will have the right to defend their title and therefore qualify automatically," said a statement on the organisation's website.

The new system is in marked contrast to 2000, when Real Madrid won the Champions League but finished outside of Spain's qualification positions.

On that occasion fourth-placed Real Zaragoza were relegated to the Uefa Cup.

This is fantastic news, although it means Liverpool's season starts proper in about 4 weeks.

William Hill have Liverpool at 4/1 to progress further in next seasons Champions League than all the other English Entries.

Current Odds are:

Chelsea 2.75

Arsenal 3.50

Man Utd 3.75

Liverpool 5.00

Everton 17.00

( Note Decimal Odds )

Well done to Liverpool for scraping through last night - but it was hardly a performance to fill one with confidence.
What chance of them making through the next stage...? Not a lot!

I disagree. I think they will ease past the group stages