Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has criticised the omission of the club from the sporting New Year Honours. Parry labelled the decision "little short of staggering" after Liverpool came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in the final of the Champions League.
"The decision to overlook key Liverpool players despite our magnificent achievement was frustrating," Parry told Liverpool's official magazine.
"What do you have to do to be recognised by the powers-that-be?"
The England cricket team's Ashes success resulted in captain Michael Vaughan becoming an OBE while the rest of the side were appointed MBEs, including Paul Collingwood, who only appeared in the final Test.
 |  The achievements of the legendary Bob Paisley were never truly recognised |
Parry added: "I don't want to take anything away from the England cricketers and their wonderful Ashes success against Australia.
"But the fact that the inspirational efforts of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in helping us win the Champions League were effectively dismissed is little short of staggering."
The Liverpool chief executive said this was the second time the club had been snubbed after winning a European trophy.
"Of course, we have been here before," he said.
"The achievements of the legendary Bob Paisley, the most successful English club manager of all time and three-times European Cup winner, were never truly recognised.
"My own bemusement now comes full circle to encompass the failure to recognise the achievements of the Anfield boys of 2005."
Reds manager Rafael Benitez also voiced his surprise at the snub.
He said: "For sure I believe the Liverpool players should have been
honoured.
"The most important sport in the world is football. The most important
competition in the world for clubs is the Champions League.
"And the most important club is the winners of the Champions League, the
winners must be at the top of the honours."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews 