Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Liverpool Forced To Drive To Madrid For Semi-Final

Liverpool are said to be looking into the possibility of travelling to Madrid for their Europa League semi-final by road after the ban on flights in the UK was extended until at least 1am on Tuesday.

A cloud of volcanic ash, caused by the erruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Icelandic, is hanging over Europe and is unlikely to move this week. Liverpool will have to make a decision imminently, considering the time it will take to travel to Spain by coach as well as the required recovery and training for the squad.

UEFA confirmed on Monday that Liverpool's game in Madrid will go ahead on Thursday as planned, as will Fulham's away game in Hamburg.

Both Liverpool and Fulham may face problems reaching the continent as routes across the English Channel have been fully booked with passengers forced to use the Channel Tunnel and ferry services. It could be that it is impossible for either club to reach mainland Europe.

Liverpool face the most daunting trip, as it will take them the best part of a full day to make the 2,600 mile journey to Madrid.

As it will take around 21 hours - without a stop and with no traffic problems - to reach Madrid the best option may be to travel with an overnight stop. But with Liverpool entertaining West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday night it leaves little recovery time before the players would have to board the coach.

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