Top four only to qualify for Champions League: FA

LONDON - Only the top four teams in the English Premiership will qualify for next season's Champions League, the Football Association (FA) announced Thursday dealing a fresh blow to Liverpool.
Liverpool, who have already reached this season's final, are three points behind fourth placed local rivals Everton in the race for qualification.
There has been speculation over whether, if they beat AC Milan in the May 25 final, they would be allowed to defend the trophy even if they finished fifth or worse in the league.
The FA, while saying they would stick to their original ruling, also stressed they would be pressing European soccer governing body UEFA for an extra place were Liverpool to win the Champions League but finish outside the Premiership's top four.

05/05/2005 16:32 GMT