Liverpool will have to play their first competitive fixture of next season on August 2 unless they finish in fifth place in the Premier League or win the FA Cup.
Kenny Dalglish's side have already secured qualification into the Europa League following their penalty shootout victory against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final last month.
The Anfield club currently sit seventh in the Premier League table.
Unless they improve their league standing or lift more silverware in May, they will enter Europe's secondary club tournament in the qualifying round, which will take place over two legs on the first two Thursdays in August.
The Reds failed to qualify for European competition last season for the first time in 12 years.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
