Liverpool are on course to go into the forthcoming season as Europe's number one ranked team, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The Reds are currently third behind AC Milan and Chelsea in UEFA's official rankings thanks to their Champions League performances over the past four seasons, having accrued more ranking points, 104.288, than any other club in Europe.

Having won the competition in 2005, been runners up to AC Milan in 2007 and made it through to the semi-finals this year, another decent campaign in 2008/09 would see Rafa Benitez's side take the number one spot ahead of the Italians, who have not qualified for next season's Champions League, and currently managerless Chelsea.

Fellow Premier League side Arsenal are sixth in the current rankings with current Champions League holders Man United in seventh.

Other British teams on the list include Newcastle in 19th, Rangers in 20th, Middlesbrough in 27th, Spurs in 31st, Bolton in 41st, Everton in 44th and Celtic in 52nd.

Their recent form in the Champions League also means that they will go into the qualifiers for next season's competition as number one seeds and will thereby avoid the other seeded teams when the draw for the qualifying rounds is made in July.