[Soccer]Champions League - Liverpool or Everton

[spa2k]

The scenario - 26th May 2006, Liverpool beat AC Milan in exciting champions league final in istanbul thus becoming european champions for a 6th time.

Everton have finished 4th in the Premier league thus securing? champions league football for the forthcoming season whilst liverpool finish 5th and miss out on qualification.

According to the rules, no country should have more than 4 representatives, however should the champions not defend their trophy?

The case for Liverpool:

Winning Champions league, therefore defending champions.

Consistently qualify for european football thus helping the english co-efficients (the way that the no of representatives from each country is worked out)

Qualified for the Champions league in the last 3 of 5 seasons.

The case for Everton:

Finished 4th in Premier League which is a champions league qualifying spot.

The precedent: Real Madrid won the trophy in 2001/02 and finished fifth in the Primera Leagua, what did the spanish FA do? They entered Real for the next seasons champions league and demoted the team that finished fourth to the UEFA cup.

so what should happen, if Liverpool win should they qualify or should Everton be entered?

Opinions please....

[Martyn]

Gotta be Liveprool

[jasondefaoite]

Being a pool supporter, gotta be Pool. Particularly how it was ok last season for the FA to hand over the 4th place team's slot, but not this season. However, if we were offered the win in the final right now, and a 5th finish with no CL action next season, screw it I'd take it.

I believe also Pool would get to keep the CL trophy (rules state teams which win either 3 in a row or 5 in total get to keep it). So screw it, let them play over another trophy next season, this one's staying in Anfield!

[spa2k]

I believe also Pool would get to keep the CL trophy (rules state teams which win either 3 in a row or 5 in total get to keep it). So screw it, let them play over another trophy next season, this one's staying in Anfield!

585890592[/snapback]

love that reply...........shame about our performance now though!

[Rappy Veteran]

I would say the champions should defend their title if they win it but if they dont then uefa cup isnt so bad but the financial awards arent so good...tough call really for the f.a but they should give liverpool the place if they win

[mr.pingu]

everton because liverpool arent good enough to play in the champions league if they cant finish in the top 4.

and because i hate liverpool :D

[spa2k]

everton because liverpool arent good enough to play in the champions league if they cant finish in the top 4.

and because i hate liverpool  :D

585891485[/snapback]

so the team that gets through to the final isnt good enough to play in the competition - kinda doesnt make sense....

I would love to say liverpool but i just don't know. The likelihood is that Everton will get knocked out in the qualifying rounds, could this be classed as a waste of an entry? If the champions don't defend the trophy doesnt that devalue the competition? BUT if the 4th placed team dont get their reward then what is the point of all their efforts?

Of course it could all be solved by going back to the good old days of the Champions cup...when only the countries league champions could enter.

[Martyn]

everton because liverpool arent good enough to play in the champions league if they cant finish in the top 4.

and because i hate liverpool  :D

585891485[/snapback]

That is the stupidied thing I have ever read. Yer, we cant be good enough for it but were in the final??

:rofl:

[PaulCabby]

It could be luck :p. Porto won it with luck.

[mr.pingu]

That is the stupidied thing I have ever read. Yer, we cant be good enough for it but were in the final??

:rofl:

585891945[/snapback]

if your so good how come your only fifth in the league :rolleyes:

i was giving my opinion from the point of view of someone who hates liverpool, your point of view is from someone who likes them. we're both biased but from different sides this conversation

[spa2k]

if your so good how come your only fifth in the league  :rolleyes:

i was giving my opinion from the point of view of someone who hates liverpool, your point of view is from someone who likes them. we're both biased but from different sides this conversation

585896003[/snapback]

i think that the point being made wasnt about whether you like liverpool or not, it was questioning how you can state that Liverpool are not good enough for the champions league yet have made the final beating some rather good clubs along the way.

League position is an indicator of how good your club has played in the league the past season, by your methods Milwall shouldnt have been in the FA cup last season because they arent good enough (not even being of premier league status) but they still made the final.

[mr.pingu]

by your methods Milwall shouldnt have been in the FA cup last season because they arent good enough (not even being of premier league status) but they still made the final.

585896104[/snapback]

yes because all teams can enter the fa cup yet only the top 4 from the premiership enter the champions league. thats the way it is and why should they change it just because you didnt finish in the top 4, whose fault is that?

[digitalslacker]

c'mon liverpool!

[FaRSightxc2]

As a neutral, I think it really has to be Liverpool. How can you justify not letting the defending champions defend their title? This is not a dig at Everton - I believe they have worked their socks off this season and battled hard for their position. But the truth is, should Liverpool win, the FA will have a hard time justifying their choice and it will set the presidence should this happen in future. Liverpool have shown, despite their league position, they are capable of performing in the Chapions League and have every right to compete next season.

On a side note, I hope there is no violence in Liverpool about this - I can see some nasty fights breaking out between Red and Blue should Liverpool win the CL this season :s

[jasondefaoite]

if your so good how come your only fifth in the league  :rolleyes:

585896003[/snapback]

Fair enough. We will see how Europe takes its toll on Everton. I remember two seasons ago, you did fairly well in the league. Finished in 7th. Don't remember them in europe the following season, but they must have been. I do remember you almost being relegated however.

I really hope everton get into the CL, and even through the qualifier to the group stages. Good luck in the relegation battle next season. :D

[beardedwonder]

Everton absolutely no doubt, you can't compromise the integrity of your national league just because Liverpool win (if they do) the champions league, 4th spot should definetly take precedence.

[golazo]

if liverpool wins it uefa should just kick out one of them crappy russian or greek teams and let liverpool and everton play in the champs league :p

[mr.pingu]

Fair enough. We will see how Europe takes its toll on Everton. I remember two seasons ago, you did fairly well in the league. Finished in 7th. Don't remember them in europe the following season, but they must have been. I do remember you almost being relegated however.

I really hope everton get into the CL, and even through the qualifier to the group stages. Good luck in the relegation battle next season.  :D

585899359[/snapback]

you say that as if i support everton :rofl: er no

Everton absolutely no doubt, you can't compromise the integrity of your national league just because Liverpool win (if they do) the champions league, 4th spot should definetly take precedence.

585899386[/snapback]

thats exactly what i think. fair enough in the future if they have a rule to say that the team that wins the champions league does qualify for next years tournament. but you cant say sorry everton, liverpool did alrite this season so we guna let thm have a go instead of you who rightfully earned it through finishing fourth.

[HilariousNinja]

Isn't the situation that no matter what Everton are in the qualifying stage. And if liverpool's plea is agreed by UEFA and the FA then they'll be in it as well?

[spa2k]

thats exactly what i think. fair enough in the future if they have a rule to say that the team that wins the champions league does qualify for next years tournament. but you cant say sorry everton, liverpool did alrite this season so we guna let thm have a go instead of you who rightfully earned it through finishing fourth.

585900139[/snapback]

(Potentially) Winning is better than "Doing alright", it makes a mockery of the competition if the winners cannot defend their title, imagine Brazil not being able to defend the 2006 world cup......

I still remain open minded about what should happen, i just dont know. I think it is harsh to kick out anyone in order to make way for the winners, however what is the point of winning a competition if you cant defend your title.

Mr Pingu man (cool name btw) you seem to have an inbuilt hatred of Liverpool FC, any particular reason?

[doggie_dog]

honestly if they were to win the UCL, then liverpool should get in but if they fail everton come into it. but then again, since they lost tommy gravisen and wayne rooney, they have thrived :) Especially Timmy Cahill, he's certainly hot property and its only his first year in the EPL!! So actually, i say everton, they deserve it more

[beardedwonder]

(Potentially) Winning is better than "Doing alright", it makes a mockery of the competition if the winners cannot defend their title, imagine Brazil not being able to defend the 2006 world cup......

If Brazil don't qualify for the world cup then they don't have a right to defend their title, so if Liverpool don't qualify then they don't have the right to defend their title. Simple as that.

[doggie_dog]

couldnt agree more beardedwonder :)

[stanneh]

cant think how ****** the situation actually is for liverpool to have the chance to become champions of the uefa and not be able to defend it :(

P.S well done on beeting the Chelski go fourth and Pwn AC good Luck Liverpool.

[hostage]

BOTH .. no questions asked.. the ball is in UEFA?s court now.