Liverpool’s journey to Frankfurt for their Champions League clash faced unexpected turbulence this week after a major issue with the team’s flight disrupted their travel plans and match preparations.
According to reports, the Reds were scheduled to depart from London’s AXA Training Centre at 4 PM on October 21, but technical complications delayed the flight until 7:51 PM. The setback caused the squad to arrive in Frankfurt just before the airport’s 11 PM closure, severely limiting recovery and preparation time ahead of the crucial fixture.
The disruption also forced Liverpool to cancel their pre-match press conference, which was supposed to feature manager Arne Slot and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. Although such cancellations typically violate UEFA regulations, sources have confirmed that the club is unlikely to face any punishment due to the exceptional nature of the delay.
Despite the logistical chaos, Slot remained calm and confident.
“These incidents won’t affect our preparation,” he told the club’s official website. “We trained earlier in the day as planned. Arriving late isn’t an excuse for our performance.”
However, Liverpool’s problems extend beyond travel woes. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed several training sessions this week due to an ankle injury sustained in the 2–1 defeat to Manchester United — the team’s fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. Should Frankfurt win, it would mark Liverpool’s fifth straight defeat, a record the club hasn’t endured since 1953.
Szoboszlai emphasized the importance of unity and mental resilience as the team looks to bounce back.
“We’ve held several meetings to address our issues,” he said. “The key is to stay together, work hard, and let the results follow.”
The Hungarian international also expressed his personal motivation this season, with the Champions League final set to take place in his hometown of Budapest.
“It’s a long journey,” he added. “We must keep learning, improving, and focusing on our performance.”
Liverpool now faces one of their toughest challenges under Arne Slot — managing injuries, overcoming travel setbacks, and finding a way to reignite confidence on the European stage.
