The English FA have asked UEFA to grant them an extra place in next season's Champions League if Liverpool win this season's tournament but finish outside the top four in the Premiership.
However, UEFA have so far shown few signs of being willing to bend their existing rules, which state that no national body can have more than four teams in the tournament.
The Reds are four points behind Everton in the Premiership, but face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League and debate has been raging as to which team should get the spot if Liverpool win the European Cup.
The FA are able to choose which four teams enter the Champions League and could chose Liverpool instead of the fourth place club if they win it, however it appears to be a decision they are not yet ready to make.
There is a precedent for such a move after 2000 when Real Madrid won the Champions League but finished fifth in La Liga, they defended their crown next season at the expense of fourth place Real Zaragoza.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick raised the matter with UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson last week, arguing in favour of five English teams qualifying for next season if Liverpool lift the trophy but finish outside the top four.
An FA spokesman today confirmed: "We have begun discussions with UEFA and these will continue."
