European football's governing body are yet to rule on whether the last-four first-leg clashes - Fulham also have to go to Hamburg - will go ahead because of the chaos caused by a cloud of volcanic ash which has grounded thousands of flights across the continent.
However, having already insisted the Champions League semi-finals between Inter Milan and Barcelona and Bayern Munich and Lyon will go ahead, forcing the Spanish and French sides to make long journeys by coach, there is a real possibility UEFA will follow suit with the Europa League.
But with the flying ban extended until tomorrow morning at the earliest Liverpool are having to plan for a worst-case scenario by tackling the 2,600-mile round trip overland.
It is not an option the club are happy with but are wary of the precedent which appears to have been set by the decision to play the Champions League semis.
Chaos: The volcano in Eyjafjallajokul has kept planes grounded across Europe
Sources at the club have pointed out that, although arduous, it is easier for Barcelona and Lyon to get to their destinations in continental Europe than it is for the Merseysiders to make the trek from north-west England to central Spain.
The journey by road would take an estimated 21 hours non-stop but that would be impractical, although the alternative of a two-day trip would mean the squad would have to leave just a few hours after tonight's Barclays Premier League match at home to West Ham and get back shortly before an away game at Burnley on Sunday.
A combination of road and rail travel is another potential option but any plans cannot be finalised until UEFA have made their decision.
author : Sportsmail Reporter @dailymail
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