The green light has been given and Liverpool will tackle Atletico Madrid this week in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals.
The volcanic ash clouds had threatened the postponement of Thursday's European fixtures due to travel complications, but UEFA has confirmed that both this tie and Fulham's trip to Hamburg will take place as planned.
Thus, it is after a lengthy overland journey - at least to Bordeaux, from where they fly to Madrid - that the Reds will step out onto the Vicente Calderon, but they have cause to feel confident of securing a result nonetheless.
The Merseyside giants boast an excellent record against Spanish clubs; particularly in the old UEFA Cup, where twice they bested Barcelona over two legs and in 2001 went on to defeat Alaves in one of the all-time great finals in Dortmund.
It could be a good omen for Liverpool that this year's decider will also take place in Germany, at the HSH Nordbank Arena in Hamburg, but first they must negotiate an Atletico side who - like their English counterparts - will be determined to add some gloss to what has been an otherwise frustrating campaign.
For while the Reds are in danger of missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League, the Rojiblancos' hopes of qualifying for Europe's upper crust are dead. They sit 10th in La Liga, some 15 points shy of fourth-placed Mallorca and nine adrift of sixth-placed Villarreal with five games to play.
Quite how the capital outfit are still kicking on the continent is something of a mystery when you consider that they have won just three of their 14 European clashes this term - two of those against Panathinaikos back in the Champions League play-offs.
And yet, remarkably, Quique Sanchez Flores and his charges could end the season with two trophies, as they are also through to the final of the Copa del Rey.
Whatever angle you take, this should be a fascinating struggle between two stumbling giants with a hell of a lot to prove - and a tight one, if the pair of 1-1 draws they shared in the Champions League group stage last term are any indication.
FORM GUIDE
Atletico Madrid
Apr 17: Villarreal 2-1 Atletico (La Liga)
Apr 14: Atletico 1-2 Xerez (La Liga)
Apr 11: Espanyol 3-0 Atletico (La Liga)
Apr 8: Atletico 0-0 Valencia (Europa League)
Apr 4: Atletico 3-0 Deportivo (La Liga)
Liverpool
Apr 19: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
Apr 11: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 8: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Europa League)
Apr 4: Birmingham 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Apr 1: Benfica 2-1 Liverpool (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Atletico Madrid
With the build-up dominated by speculation over whether a certain Spaniard would make a dramatic homecoming this week, rather overlooked has been the fact that Atleti will be without their own superstar striker as Sergio Aguero sits out through suspension.
Young midfielder Ignacio Camacho is still some way short of full fitness, but Tomas Ujfalusi and Luis Perea are available once more in defence.
Last starting XI (vs. Villarreal): De Gea, Alvaro, Ujfalusi, Perea, Lopez, Assuncao, Tiago, Simao, Jurado, Reyes, Aguero.
Liverpool
Will he or won't he? That was the question surrounding Fernando Torres as he strove to make himself available to face the club with whom he spent 14 years. Regrettably, another operation on his knee means 'El Nino' will play no further part this season.
Nor will Maxi Rodriguez return to his old stomping ground, as the Argentine midfielder - who left Atleti only in January - is ineligible for the Reds' Europa League campaign.
Defenders Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua (both thigh), Martin Skrtel (foot) and Martin Kelly (knee) are out injured, but Ryan Babel returns after serving a ban for his red card at Benfica in the quarter-finals.
Last starting XI (vs. West Ham): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Benayoun, Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atletico Madrid - Diego Forlan
Liverpool were among the few clubs against whom Uruguay's star striker found the net during his Manchester United days, but since moving to Spain he has established himself as one of Europe's elite goal-getters. If he gets half a yard in the box, he'll find the net more likely than not.
Liverpool - Alberto Aquilani
The Italian playmaker has been sneaking into the first team more often of late, and on those occasions he has not disappointed. A big chance to start in Madrid and show his boss what he is capable of on the big stage.
The volcanic ash clouds had threatened the postponement of Thursday's European fixtures due to travel complications, but UEFA has confirmed that both this tie and Fulham's trip to Hamburg will take place as planned.
Thus, it is after a lengthy overland journey - at least to Bordeaux, from where they fly to Madrid - that the Reds will step out onto the Vicente Calderon, but they have cause to feel confident of securing a result nonetheless.
The Merseyside giants boast an excellent record against Spanish clubs; particularly in the old UEFA Cup, where twice they bested Barcelona over two legs and in 2001 went on to defeat Alaves in one of the all-time great finals in Dortmund.
It could be a good omen for Liverpool that this year's decider will also take place in Germany, at the HSH Nordbank Arena in Hamburg, but first they must negotiate an Atletico side who - like their English counterparts - will be determined to add some gloss to what has been an otherwise frustrating campaign.
For while the Reds are in danger of missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League, the Rojiblancos' hopes of qualifying for Europe's upper crust are dead. They sit 10th in La Liga, some 15 points shy of fourth-placed Mallorca and nine adrift of sixth-placed Villarreal with five games to play.
Quite how the capital outfit are still kicking on the continent is something of a mystery when you consider that they have won just three of their 14 European clashes this term - two of those against Panathinaikos back in the Champions League play-offs.
And yet, remarkably, Quique Sanchez Flores and his charges could end the season with two trophies, as they are also through to the final of the Copa del Rey.
Whatever angle you take, this should be a fascinating struggle between two stumbling giants with a hell of a lot to prove - and a tight one, if the pair of 1-1 draws they shared in the Champions League group stage last term are any indication.
FORM GUIDE
Atletico Madrid
Apr 17: Villarreal 2-1 Atletico (La Liga)
Apr 14: Atletico 1-2 Xerez (La Liga)
Apr 11: Espanyol 3-0 Atletico (La Liga)
Apr 8: Atletico 0-0 Valencia (Europa League)
Apr 4: Atletico 3-0 Deportivo (La Liga)
Liverpool
Apr 19: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
Apr 11: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 8: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Europa League)
Apr 4: Birmingham 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Apr 1: Benfica 2-1 Liverpool (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Atletico Madrid
With the build-up dominated by speculation over whether a certain Spaniard would make a dramatic homecoming this week, rather overlooked has been the fact that Atleti will be without their own superstar striker as Sergio Aguero sits out through suspension.
Young midfielder Ignacio Camacho is still some way short of full fitness, but Tomas Ujfalusi and Luis Perea are available once more in defence.
Last starting XI (vs. Villarreal): De Gea, Alvaro, Ujfalusi, Perea, Lopez, Assuncao, Tiago, Simao, Jurado, Reyes, Aguero.
Liverpool
Will he or won't he? That was the question surrounding Fernando Torres as he strove to make himself available to face the club with whom he spent 14 years. Regrettably, another operation on his knee means 'El Nino' will play no further part this season.
Nor will Maxi Rodriguez return to his old stomping ground, as the Argentine midfielder - who left Atleti only in January - is ineligible for the Reds' Europa League campaign.
Defenders Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua (both thigh), Martin Skrtel (foot) and Martin Kelly (knee) are out injured, but Ryan Babel returns after serving a ban for his red card at Benfica in the quarter-finals.
Last starting XI (vs. West Ham): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Benayoun, Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atletico Madrid - Diego Forlan
Liverpool were among the few clubs against whom Uruguay's star striker found the net during his Manchester United days, but since moving to Spain he has established himself as one of Europe's elite goal-getters. If he gets half a yard in the box, he'll find the net more likely than not.
Liverpool - Alberto Aquilani
The Italian playmaker has been sneaking into the first team more often of late, and on those occasions he has not disappointed. A big chance to start in Madrid and show his boss what he is capable of on the big stage.
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