Travel chaos will spur on Liverpool, insists Benitez
LIVERPOOL may have undertaken an energy-sapping trek to reach Madrid but manager Rafael Benitez has urged them to draw strength from the ordeal as they look to end a disappointing season on a high note.
The Reds finally arrived in the Spanish capital for tonight’s semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid yesterday, more than 24 hours after setting off, after volcanic ash played havoc on their travel plans.
And Benitez is hoping the long train journeys have forged a bond that helps his team make up for the likelihood of failing to qualify for the Champions League by lifting the Europa League trophy.
“You have to try to find the positives when you are in this kind of situation and it is vital that everyone stays together when you have a problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fulham have been boosted by the return from injury of USA midfielder Clint Dempsey for their semi-final first leg against Hamburg in Germany.