LFC reject the chance to qualify for the Europa League

[King Binny]

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool will accept a place in Europe via the Fair Play league despite suggesting that the club could do without it.

Rodgers' side sit second behind Arsenal in the Premier League's fair play standings ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield.

UEFA grants a place in the Europa League qualification stages to the three European nations with the best fair play records.

England were fourth in the table when the last standings were published on December 31, but could climb into the top three by the end of the season.

If that happened, a fair play place in the Europa League would almost certainly default to Liverpool, as Arsenal are on course to qualify for the Champions League.

Rodgers has indicated in recent weeks that a season out of Europe would enable his side to focus on improving their Premier League position of seventh.

In addition, the Europa League qualifying rounds would clash with a lucrative pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, planned for July.

But Rodgers insists that comments he made earlier this week about instructing players to pick up yellow and red cards to avoid qualifying for Europe were meant as a joke.

He said: "I was asked the question last week, and what I said was obviously meant as a joke. Of course, it gets reported differently.

"We want to be in European competition however it comes, but we'd prefer to go down the football route."

Liverpool reached the last-32 of this season's Europa League before being eliminated by Zenit St Petersburg on away goals.

Asked if he would accept a European place for next season via the Fair Play league, Rodgers added: "I think, as a football club, you have to. I don't think it's something you turn down, if you get the opportunity to go into European football.

"The journey we had this year in the Europa League was something all the players thoroughly enjoyed.

"It was a great exercise for us. We were bitterly disappointed to go out, and if we get the chance to do it again, then for sure we will."

 

[gkmacca]

The sooner we get a new Head of Communications the better. Oh no, we already have one.

 

[dantes]

Does Rodgers have no shame? Back when he had no money I wouldn't be surprised if he was still hanging out in brothels just looking and hoping to get lucky one day.

 

[Hansern]

Yawn

 

[dantes]

You either have terrible dyslexia, or you assume I have a list and would like to be added to it.

 

[Hansern]

Its more that this pointless thread is still open.

1) we havent been offered a place yet and England does NOT currently qualify for one
2) its instead used for snide remarks towards the manager

 

[#roadred]

So that's how you spell dyslexia

 

[Red Astaire]

I would love this to happen simply because it would reduce Suarez's league ban (I think) - That would just a be a big fuck you to the boo boys. I'm not overly arsed if we don't though. Next season is going to be a biggy I reckon and having to play less games would help our CL place chances.

 

[dee]

I would love this to happen simply because it would reduce Suarez's league ban (I think).

Hmmm - I think the FA's power extends to competitions they run. So he will eligible for all European games but must miss the first 6 games of the new Premier League and League (Capitol One) Cup. The second round of the League Cup is on 23rd August but I think Teams playing in European competitions get a bye?

 

[dee]

Yepp rule 4.4 - R3 isn't until the end of September but last season we played 5 EPL games prior to the League Cup so it may be the last game he is banned for.

4.4 International and Representative matches and Football Association Cup Ties take precedence over matches in The Cup Competition. Any Club qualifying for a place in a UEFA club competition, up to a maximum of eight such Clubs, shall be exempt from participating in this Competition until Round Three. When the remaining number of Clubs entered is other than 64 the Management Committee shall arrange for byes where necessary. No Club shall have a bye in successive rounds of the Competition.