MILLENNIUM STADIUM READY TO HOST LIVERPOOL

Despite winning the Champions League title for the fifth time, and being given the trophy to keep as a result, Liverpool currently have no ticket to defend the title they scooped in Istanbul in such dramatic style against AC Milan.

TNS qualified for the 2005/2006 Champions League tournament by winning the Welsh Premier League and have suggested to European football’s governing body UEFA that they are prepared to play-off against near-neighbours Liverpool for a place in next season’s preliminary round.

Liverpool may have been crowned Europe’s top club in Turkey, but their failure to finish in the top four in the Barclays Premiership in England means they will have to be content with a place in the UEFA Cup next season.

“Liverpool’s performance in Istanbul was absolutely fantastic and I’d like to think they learned how to win a penalty shoot-out from their appearance in the Worthington Cup final at the Millennium Stadium back in 2001,” said Sergeant. “That was the first club football match we hosted in Cardiff, and Liverpool, with six of the players who triumphed in Turkey, beat Birmingham City 5-4 on penalties.

“Every football fan feels it is unfair that Liverpool won’t be able to defend their title by right next season. If the TNS offer is a genuine one, and UEFA take it seriously, then we would be delighted to host the fixture at the Millennium Stadium.

“After all, Liverpool have played here six times and TNS also switched their UEFA Cup tie with Manchester City to Cardiff in 2003.

“The Millennium Stadium has a UEFA five-star rating and we are hopeful of one day staging a Champions League final in Cardiff. I certainly think we’ve got all the facilities that the players and spectators need to make it a spectacular success.”