Liverpool set to dodge UEFA fine after Champions League travel chaos

Liverpool's preparations for their Champions League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt were plunged into chaos when their flight to Germany was delayed by nearly four hours on Tuesday. The Reds found themselves stuck at Liverpool John Lennon Airport after the aircraft they were due to board for Wednesday's fixture against the Bundesliga outfit experienced technical problems.

The flight finally departed Merseyside just before 8pm, with Liverpool forced to miss the customary pre-match media briefing that was due to commence in Frankfurt at the stadium at 6.30pm UK time. By failing to appear at the Deutsche Bank Arena for the conference, the Reds - who are desperate to avoid a fifth straight loss for the first time since 1953 - could face sanctions from UEFA for violating Article 48 of the tournament's regulations.

The rule stipulates: "The clubs must arrange for their teams to arrive on-site by the evening before the match concerned at the latest, and in time to fulfil their media obligations the day before the match."

The ultimate verdict will be made by a disciplinary panel should the UEFA match delegate opt to reference the incident in their official report. Nevertheless, given Liverpool bore no responsibility for the technical faults, it appears unlikely there will be any repercussions for the Anfield outfit.

"No, it will not impact the build-up to tomorrow's game," declared Reds manager Arne Slot, speaking before the flight ultimately took off. "We have trained over here at the AXA (Training Centre).

"Normally we would have gone to Frankfurt a few hours earlier, now we are a few hours later. But, no, that can never be an excuse for the game tomorrow."

Liverpool have confirmed they have taken a 21-man squad to Germany with Ryan Gravenberch absent because of an ankle issue he picked up against Manchester United on Sunday. Wataru Endo returned, however, after his own fitness concern.

Liverpool 21-man squad vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Goalkeepers: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Misciur

Defenders: Van Dijk, Gomez, Konate, Kerkez, Bradley, Robertson, Frimpong

Midfielders: Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Wirtz

Forwards: Isak, Salah, Chiesa, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha