Liverpool face Euro trip to Israel

[Rocol]

Liverpool face a trip to the strife-torn Middle East next month after Rafael Benitez's 2005 European champions were drawn to play Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League's third qualifying round.

However, Israel could be on the brink of being banned from playing club and international matches at home because of the worsening security situation in the region resulting from the conflict in Lebanon.

If the match does go ahead in Israel rather than in a neutral country, the second leg is likely to be moved from Haifa, which is close to the conflict zone, to Tel Aviv. The first leg will be played at Anfield.

With the way that things are in the Middle East, at the moment, I would have thought that a ' Neutral Country ' would have been compulsary. I bet the Liverpool players are not looking forward to that trip

[Setarime]

If Uefa see sense they wont make liverpool travel to Israel, but football authorities dont always do sensible things

[Rocol]

Agree mate, and I would go as far as to say they never do sensible things ;)

[stubacca68]

you have hit the nail on the head there guys! now if it was rugby........drone drone blah blah!!!
only joking, i like footy as well, but like you say they would be daft to make them play over there!

[TGLucario]

well...i hope LFC do win, anywhere they play

[Setarime]

UEFA have decided that Liverpool and Maccabi Haifa will play the 2nd leg of their champions league qualifier in Kiev. Thoughts on that TGL/Stubacca ?

[stubacca68]

where should it be played? is that the isreali team!
If so then at least it will be neutral for both teams! bit unfair if it is their home leg though! but oh well never mind!

[Saurgrist]

I know it sucks for Liverpool, but I feel bad for Israel. They might be banned from play because of things that are out of their control