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 beat AC Milan to win the Champions League after trailing 3-0 at one point.
"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?"
England's success in beating Australia to win the Ashes saw captain Michael Vaughan become an OBE while the rest of the side were appointed MBEs, including Paul Collinghwood, who appeared in only the final Test.
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 pointed out this was the second time the club had been snubbed after winning a European trophy.
"Of course, we have been here before.
"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."