Nigeria Content Online

Liverpool’s
2000-kilometre odyssey to arrive in Madrid for Thursday’s Europa League
semi-final first-leg against Atletico is unlikely to affect their
performance, according to Atletico midfielder Jurado.

Airspace
restrictions caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland have forced
coach Rafael Benitez and his players to find alternative means of
transport to the Spanish capital.

They took a train
to London around Tuesday lunchtime and then the Eurostar rail service
to Paris. They plan to catch a train to Bordeaux on Wednesday and then
a flight to Madrid.

“I am sorry they
have to travel so many kilometres (out of their way), although I don’t
think it’ll make any difference on the pitch,” Jurado said at a news
conference on Tuesday.

“I think that more
than the journey they will be tired because they played on Monday,” he
said, in reference to Liverpool’s 3-0 Premier League win over West Ham.

“But in a
semi-final like this you use all your energy and you don’t notice
fatigue.” The Liverpool players passed the time on the train to London
reading newspapers, playing cards and browsing on laptop computers,
according to a live blog called “The Longest Journey” on the club’s
website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

After they arrive
in Madrid on Wednesday, Benitez will hold a news conference at
Atletico’s Calderon stadium at 1645 GMT and they will have a practice
session from 1730 GMT.

Atletico winger
Jose Antonio Reyes believes his side will miss Sergio “Kun” Aguero more
than Liverpool will notice the absence of Fernando Torres on Thursday
as the two teams bid for a place in the May 12 final against Hamburg SV
or Fulham.

Fan favourite

Spain striker
Torres, a fans’ favourite at Atletico before moving to the Premier
League in July 2007, had knee surgery on Sunday and will be out for
around six weeks. Argentina forward Aguero is suspended.

“I admit that for
us it’s good news (that Torres is out), although also bad because we
like to see the best players on the pitch,” Reyes told reporters.

“Above all his team will suffer, and also our fans,” the former Arsenal and Real Madrid player added.

“Both teams lose a
lot, although I believe the absence of Kun it’s more important because
he is a key player for Atletico. We’ll notice his absence, although I
hope not much.” Erratic Atletico have struggled in La Liga this season
but have made the final of the domestic cup and Liverpool’s captain
Steven Gerrard said the Spaniards are capable of beating anyone if they
hit form.

“It depends what
version of Atletico takes to the pitch,” the England midfielder said in
an interview published in Spain’s As sports daily on Tuesday.

“They’re a bit like us: sometimes you expect them to win and they don’t.

“It’s going to be a
hard match. The trophy is very important for both clubs and the
atmosphere is going to be sensational.” Probable teams:

Atletico Madrid: 43-David De Gea; 2-Juan Valera, 18-Alvaro
Dominguez, 17-Tomas Ujfalusi, 3-Antonio Lopez; 12-Paulo Assuncao,
8-Raul Garcia; 19-Jose Antonio Reyes, 9-Jurado, 20-Simao Sabrosa;
7-Diego Forlan Liverpool: 25-Pepe Reina; 2-Glen Johnson, 5-Daniel
Agger, 23-Jamie Carragher, 16-Sotiris Kyrgiakos; 20-Javier Mascherano,
21-Lucas; 18-Dirk Kuyt, 8-Steven Gerrard, 15-Yossi Benayoun; 24-David
Ngog Referee: Laurent Duhamel (France)