Liverpool FC players faced a gruelling 1300 mile trip to their clash with Athletico Madrid, after UEFA chiefs turned down pleas from reds boss Rafa Benitez to postpone the Europa Cup semi-final due to flight chaos.
The first-team squad arrived at Runcorn train station just after 1pm on Tuesday to begin the 24-hour journey, beginning on the Liverpool to London Virgin Pendolino Service, before picking up the Eurostar train to Paris from King's Cross St Pancras.
After an overnight stay in the French capital, the team faced an early start and a six hour coach journey to Bordeaux in Southern France, in order to board a flight to Spain, scheduled to land in Madrid at 1.30pm on Wednesday.
The Merseyside outfit, including captain Steven Gerrard and Spanish stopper Pepe Reina, were met by hundreds of fans at the small Merseyside station, but were in good spirits as they signed autographs for fans.
The cheering of excitable crowds as the players arrived proved how important the crunch-tie is to the Anfield faithful, who will be hoping Rafa Benitez' side can rescue a torrid season with some silverware.
As the team walked the length of the platform to board their specially reserved first-class carriage, one reds fan said: "I hope the players aren't too tired after all the travelling, because it's a long way.
"We have to win this one, it's all we've got left to play for now, and it could be Benitez' last chance to win back the fans."
The transport chaos, caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland, has left many ticket-holders unable to attend the match and angry with UEFA officials for the long-awaited decision.
Gareth Cummins from the Football Supporters Federation said: "I think that most fans realise that this is an unprecedented event over which UEFA have got no control"
"The main thing that rankles is that it got to Monday before a decision was made."
Striker Fernando Torres did not travel with the squad to face his former club, after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The no-fly misery has also affected fellow Premier League side Fulham, who are due to face Hamburger SV in Germany on Thursday evening. The Londoners will make the 800-mile journey to Hamburg across land, via coach and train.
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