Source: Daily_Mail
Rafa Benitez lets the train take the Euro strain as Liverpool head to Madrid
Runcorn was an appropriate setting for the start of Liverpool's two-day trek across Europe on Tuesday. It is known locally as The Corn - and Liverpool's players are going to have to earn theirs if they are to reach the final of the Europa League.[LNB]With flights still grounded across most of the country, Rafa Benitez and his squad face a test of stamina and endurance just making sure they participate in Thursday's semi-final against Atletico Madrid.[LNB]Liverpool left Paris on Wednesday morning, for a three-and-a-half hour train journey to Bordeaux, where they will board a flight for Madrid.[LNB] Full of cheer: Rafael Benitez arrives in Paris on Monday night ahead of the Europa League semi-final[LNB] [LNB]Here is how the first half of the travel marathon panned out:[LNB]12.45pm - The team bus arrives at Runcorn train station. It struggles to turnround in the cramped forecourt, and it soon becomes clear the path intothe station is going to be just as tricky to negotiate for Benitez andhis players. 'Come on, guys give them some space,' implores theThomas Cook rep.[LNB] Any chance of doing some sight seeing? Pepe Reina, Javier Mascherano and goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero outside the Gare du Nord station[LNB] [LNB]1.00pm - A promising omen asthe station announcer informs a crowded platform of the imminent andon-time arrival of the 13.04 to Euston.[LNB]1.30pm - Coach G is a no-go zone for all but the players. A glance through thedoor, though, reveals newspapers, books and films on laptops are thepreferred activities.[LNB] Taking the long route: Gerrard arrives in Paris after a Eurostar journey from London[LNB] 2.50pm - There are twogleaming, grey executive coaches waiting on the platform at Euston toferry us to St Pancras, much to the bemusement of passengers on anadjacent platform. Benitez poses for one photo after another in the 50yards between train and coach. Players complain about coach journeys,but sympathy goes out of the smoked glass window when you climb aboardtheir state of the art model. Talk about lap of luxury. Padded leatherseats and flat screen televisions everywhere.[LNB] Enlarge Listen up boys: Jamie Carragher passes the time in Runcorn waiting room by making sure the Reds are up to date with the latest sports news in the Daily Mail[LNB] 3.20pm - Arrive at St Pancrasto a scene of absolute mayhem. For the media, anyway. The team bus hasspecial dispensation to pull up outside the front entrance, enablingthe players to file through a queue-less check-in desk and into one ofthe first-class lounges. The rest of us are escorted through the usualarray of shops and into a vast hall that is feeling the effects of theban on flights.[LNB] [LNB] The fat controller: Reds boss Rafa Benitez is the centre of attention[LNB] [LNB] Full steam ahead: (Dirk Kuyt just wants to get going as Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina follow on while Javier Mascherano (right) takes a big book for the trek[LNB] [LNB] 4.30pm - The players have made their way from lounge to train without anyone batting an eyelid, let alone badgering them for photos or autographs.[LNB]6.45pm - Paris at last. It has been a long day and the most anyone can get out of the players is 'bon nuit' as they step on to a waiting coach and head for their hotel.[LNB]Benitez said: 'The players all had ice packs and carbohydrates after the West Ham game and we thought it was better to let them have a good night's sleep than set off any earlier. The journey has been fine so far.'[LNB]On to Madrid in the morning.[LNB] Should I stay or should I go? Liverpool star Yossi Benayoun questions his Anfield futureSteven Gerrard: Liverpool must buy four 'quality' players to return to the topPICTURE SPECIAL: From Runcorn to Madrid - Liverpool's epic journey to the Europa League semi-finalLIVERPOOL FC
