Liverpool seeded for qualifiers

Holders Liverpool are seeded in the first qualifying round of this season's Champions League, Uefa has revealed.
Liverpool were granted entry into the competition after their dramatic win against AC Milan, despite finishing only fifth in the Premiership.

They could now face Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions or Glentoran of Northern Ireland in the qualifiers, which start on 12 and 13 July.

The draw is made on Friday, with Celtic seeded in the second qualifying stage.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick, meanwhile, has praised Uefa for giving Liverpool special dispensation to go back into the competition after their win.

Liverpool were reportedly unhappy at being forced to play in the first round qualifiers and have had to cancel a lucrative tour to Japan.

But Barwick said: "The theory that Uefa would get to a situation where Liverpool wouldn't be allowed back in it was, for us, untenable.

"I thought Uefa did a fantastic job. Liverpool start where they start. They just have more matches to go before they win it."