The Spaniard has been stunned by the row surrounding his team's participation in the tournament in 2005-6.

City rivals Everton currently stand fourth in the Premiership table - the last qualifying place for the Champions League - ahead of the Anfield side with UEFA only allowing four teams from each association to enter the continent's top competition.

Liverpool believe that should they win the European title this season they should be allowed to defend it next year even if that means Everton being relegated to the UEFA Cup instead.

The row clouds the club's penultimate home league game of the season against Middlesbrough as well as next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea where the tie is locked at 0-0.

But Benitez can claim to having seen a precedent set in his homeland in the 1999-2000 season when Real Madrid won the European Cup and finished fifth in La Liga.

Real Zaragoza were fourth, but the Spanish FA nominated Madrid to defend their crown and sent Zaragoza into the UEFA Cup.

UEFA have already intimated that they would expect the English FA to follow that example, but have no clear rules to force such an outcome and must wait for a decision which will not be announced until after Tuesday's game with Chelsea.

Benitez believes the FA want the decision taken away from them by the outcome of Liverpool's European campaign.

He said: "The FA have a big problem, normally if you win a trophy then commonsense says that you must defend it next season.

"They are waiting for a solution to appear because it is so difficult for them to make a decision.

"There was a precedent in Spain, and I always say you must use commonsense - if you win a trophy you must be allowed to defend it. I do not remember there being too much disagreement in Spain when Real Madrid won the trophy and were nominated ahead of Real Zaragoza, who were fourth."

And Benitez even implied that Liverpool would have more chance of future success in Europe than Everton.

He said: "It was Real Madrid, it was normal. What are you talking about, to defend the name of your country in Europe?

"If Real Madrid were in Europe at the end then you know they can win the trophy.

"I am sure Zaragoza were disappointed, but I say again, it was the normal decision to make. There is no guarantee we will be in the Champions League next season even if we do win it, I know. It seems to be a special rule!

"I think commonsense is the real solution - all we can do is try to beat Chelsea and win the final.

"And yes, I think then we should be allowed into the competition next season."

Benitez knows all the wrangling will be ended if Liverpool somehow revive their season and snatch fourth place from Everton, who need just two wins from four games to end that Anfield dream.