Overview
- Liverpool said technical issues with their aircraft delayed departure and forced the pre-match press conference in Frankfurt to be called off.
- The squad eventually left at 7:51 p.m. and arrived before Frankfurt Airport’s 11 p.m. local arrivals cutoff.
- A 21-man group traveled without Ryan Gravenberch, who has an ankle injury, as Wataru Endo returned to availability and Alisson and other long-term absentees remained out.
- Slot insisted the delay would not affect preparations, and reports indicate the club does not expect UEFA sanctions given the circumstances.
- Liverpool enter the Champions League tie on four straight defeats and seeking to avoid a first five-game losing run since 1953, with possible recalls discussed for Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike as both teams sit on three points.