UEFA has previously insisted their rules are clear, that only four teams from any one country can go forward to play in the Champions League.

With Everton set to clinch the coveted fourth spot, and with Liverpool still in with a chance of lifting the Champions League trophy, UEFA have told the Football Association to decide who should join Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in next season’s tournament.

A precedent was set five years ago when Real Madrid won the Champions League, but only finished fifth in the Primera Liga, resulting in the Spanish football authorities opting for the ‘Galacticos’ ahead of Real Zaragoza, who had finished fourth.

Remarkably, Johansson could not recall that incident, but insists England could have five teams in next season’s Champions League if UEFA’s executive committee allow Liverpool to defend the trophy should they win it, but finish outside the top four.

“This is a very demanding case, but it doesn’t mean it cannot be discussed,” said Johansson on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“They [Liverpool] are welcome with their point of view. They can make any proposal and we will deal with it and we will give them a quick answer.

“The door is always open. We are there to serve football and not just dictate, so they are welcome to make a request if the situation occurs. If there is a possibility to make an exception for the winner of the Champions League then there could be an additional place.

“It is for the executive committee to decide and anything can be granted if they decide to go to the member associations and ask for a change in the regulations.

“But it would be unfair on Everton who have played the whole season and qualified via fourth place to then exclude them.”

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry refused to be drawn on the issue, although he did concede Johansson’s comments were encouraging.

“I’ve heard Mr Johansson’s positive words, but it’s not an issue that’s a live debate at this stage,” said Parry.

“There’s a long way to go in both competitions and we are still in contention for fourth place and playing for that.

“As far as the Champions League is concerned, with a big game against Chelsea still to come, it’s very disrespectful to our opponents to speculate on what may or may not happen beyond that.

“It’s an intriguing possibility, but at this moment in time it’s still a theoretical possibility. If and when the time comes, that is when we will express a view.”

Johansson, though, has stated there will be a tightening of the rules for next season to ensure such an eventuality can be adequately dealt with in the future.

“We will make it more clear than we have before as to what is valid because it will happen again and again,” added Johansson.

“In my opinion the rule is already there, but if there are exceptions to the rule then we have to clarify the situation and make a clear statement about it.”

Parry believes UEFA should have foreseen such a dilemma, and feels it is wrong they have placed the onus on the FA to resolve the thorny issue.

“It is the responsibility of UEFA, after all it is their competition and it’s for them to address what should happen to the winner,” insisted Parry.

“I don’t think it is appropriate that national associations should be left with such extraordinarily difficult decisions.

“There is clearly an element of inconsistency within the rules. On the one hand there is a desire for the champions to participate, but equally a very clear rule that says no country can have more than four participants.

“It works fine, providing the champions always finish within the top four, which I guess they generally do. It makes sense going forwards that this sort of uncertainty doesn’t arise again. It should be clearly spelled out.

“It shouldn’t be left to discretion and unseemly arguments as to who is more worthy. It should be clear from the outset.

“I think the principle of competition winners being allowed to defend is perfectly sound, but again that should be within the rules of the organisers of the competition.”