Liverpool Hit by Travel Chaos Before Champions League Clash — Arne Slot Forced to Rethink Plans
Liverpool’s build-up to their crucial Champions League fixture took an unexpected hit after a major flight delay disrupted the team’s pre-match preparations, forcing manager Arne Slot to quickly adapt his plans.
According to reports from the club’s technical staff, the Reds’ scheduled 4 PM departure from the AXA Training Centre in London on October 21 was pushed back more than three hours, with the flight finally taking off at 7:51 PM.
The delay meant Liverpool arrived in Frankfurt just before the airport’s 11 PM closure — leaving the squad with barely any time for rest and recovery ahead of the match.
As a result, the club was forced to cancel its official pre-match press conference, which was set to feature Slot and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. Although the cancellation technically breaches UEFA protocol, insiders confirmed that Liverpool are unlikely to face sanctions, as the situation was deemed to be “beyond the club’s control.”
Despite the disruption, Slot remained calm and confident, insisting that the travel issue would not derail his team’s focus.
“These things happen,” the manager told the club’s official website. “We trained earlier in the day as planned. Arriving later than expected isn’t an excuse — our preparation and mindset remain the same.”
Injury Woes Add to the Pressure
The delay compounds an already difficult period for Liverpool, who are still dealing with key injury setbacks. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed several training sessions after suffering an ankle injury in the recent 1–2 defeat to Manchester United, which marked the team’s fourth straight loss — their worst run since Slot took charge.
A fifth consecutive defeat would be historically significant, as Liverpool haven’t suffered such a streak since 1953.
Szoboszlai: “We Must Stay United”
Speaking about the team’s mindset ahead of the Frankfurt clash, Dominik Szoboszlai emphasized the importance of unity and resilience.
“We’ve had several meetings to address what’s been going wrong,” Szoboszlai said. “The most important thing is to stay together as a team. We’re ready to respond, to work hard, and to turn our luck around.”
The Hungarian midfielder also expressed his personal motivation for this year’s Champions League campaign, with the final set to take place in his hometown of Budapest.
“It’s a long journey, but we have to keep improving and focus on our own game,” he added.
A Crucial Night Awaits
Liverpool now face a defining moment in Frankfurt — navigating injuries, travel fatigue, and the urgent need to rediscover form. For Arne Slot and his players, the message is clear: no more excuses, only action.
