The Reds have finally arrived in Madrid after an epic 24 hour journey - and the LFC TV team have been with them every step of the way.

FREE VIDEO: Runcorn to Madrid>>

WED 21 APRIL

13:30 - MADRID
Just over 24 hours after setting off from Runcorn Station, we check in at our city centre Madrid hotel. It's been a hard slog getting here but thanks to the sterling efforts of Thomas Cook Sport, we have made it on schedule. Now hopefully time for some rest before the press conference later on when I'm sure Rafa will be thrilled to see us all once again. Check the website later for news of what Rafa has to say when quizzed by the local media.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

12:50 - MADRID
After 24 hours together the players and staff go one way and the media go the other as we head for separate hotels. I don't think the players will be too disappointed not to have a camera in their face everywhere they go for the rest of the afternoon. It's open training and a press conference tonight - now the real work begins.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

12:34 - MADRID
Exactly twenty three and a half hours after leaving Runcorn station, Liverpool finally arrive in Madrid. Exhaustion gives way to relief that the journey has at long last come to an end. There's still no word about how or when we are getting home but there are far worse cities to be stranded in than Madrid. The Liverpool players will sleep this afternoon before training at the Vicente Calderon later on this evening. At least their spirits are still high with the banter flowing freely as they disembark the plane. It's been a long, hard slog but should they win through to the Europa League final in Hamburg on May 12 it will all have been worth it.
Posted by Tony Barrett on his live Times blog

12:20:
Air hostess said over Tannoy 'I hope you have had a pleasant trip!' Not sure pleasant is the word to describe the last 23 hours and 29 minutes!
Posted by Ian Dennis on his live BBC blog

12:20 - MADRID
We're here! The players didn't eat on the flight, but the press were offered their fifth baguette of the trip so far. Ham and cheese this time. Ngog and El Zhar seem to be battling it out for who has the biggest headphones. A nice 22 degrees in Madrid - now off to our hotel. Finally.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

11:07 - BORDEAUX AIRPORT
At last, a plane! After travelling by land and sea over the last 24 hours we can now see the finishing line in sight. Stevie and Carra have just boarded - and Nabil El Zhar is blocking Craig's route to get all the kit into the overhead lockers. And I've just been interviewed by Radio Merseyside's Mike Hughes about the trip so far. Nearly there now, nearly there...
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

10:20
We are now en route, as they say in these sun-drenched parts, to the city's airport, where a 75-minute flight to Madrid - which has started to achieve the status of an El Dorado - awaits. So, what do Liverpool do when they arrive in Madrid, this mythical city of gold? Well, they decamp to their hotel, have a bite to eat and then, at about 6pm local time, head to the Vicente Calderon for a training session and press conference. They might have travelled like backpackers, but they're not about to hit the nearest McDonalds, stroll around Callao and then find a hostel full to the brim of beard-wearing Americans.
Posted by Rory Smith on his live Telegraph blog

10:00
Another train trip ends and another bus journey begins. At least this time the airport at Bordeaux is open. At this stage the Icelandic volcano is about as popular among the Liverpool party as Gary Neville. Speaking of whom, there was a brilliant lookalike of the Manchester United right back on the train. While he slept he had his picture taken by several people, including his own father who joined in with the joke once he was informed of the resemblance. Not sure whether said father was totally aware of which Neville was being referred to however. Maybe he thought it was Robbie. C'est la vie. 
Posted by Tony Barrett on his live Times blog

09:58: - ON COACH TO BORDEAUX AIRPORT
We may all be tired but the warm weather has put smiles back on everyones faces now. Everyone in the travelling party seems a lot happier with life. I've just finished editing an interview I did with Rafa on the train this morning - you'll be able to watch this on LFC Now at 6pm this evening.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

09:49 - BORDEAUX
We're in Bordeaux and now just one more coach journey and one flight away from finally reaching Madrid. Less luxurious coaches for the squad and media this time to transport us to the airport. Craig is off filming so we're carrying his luggage. Not good in the baking sun of southern France.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

09:30
Mood much more buoyant after early start, lots of banter. French vocabulary is limited so enlisted the help of a pleasant girl called Yseline who informs us we are due to arrive in Bordeaux at half past 10 local time. Much hilarity at my poor French, sounded like Del Boy. Mange tout Marlene!
Posted by Ian Dennis on his live BBC blog

09:10 - ON TRAIN TO BORDEAUX
Just filmed Rafa being interviewed by Matt Critchley in the cafe on the train. Don't think I'll ever do an interview in this sort of location again. It was a bit wobbly!
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

08:43
We have buses returning to Catalonia (Perpignan & Barcelona) from Calais/Roscoff/Cherbourg tomorrow afternoon/evening if that helps any travelling fans out. There are multiple daily high speed rail and air links (which are open and running normally!) between Barcelona and Madrid. Emial info@frogbus.com for more information.
Joe Shannon, supporter, by email

08:38
Who needs aeroplanes? We are currently M6 southbound in a 7 seated Delia Taxi Cab approaching Keele Services, spirits are high and now only 1247 miles to go.
Posted by 'The Irregulars' via email

Are you starting your journey to Madrid today? If so we'd love to hear your travelling tales to include in this blog. Email us at admin@liverpoolfc.tv

08:12 - ON TRAIN TO BORDEAUX
Rafa has just finished his press briefing on the train and was in absolutely brilliant form. He started off joking about having to make the arduous journey from first class to the buffet suite to speak with the media and was then telling us about a Spanish card game he has been playing en route. We tried to convince him poker was a better game - "no, too dangerous, you lose too much money," he replied. He was also telling us how this long trek over two days has been great for team spirit and that the lads are really bonding well together. They are all asleep at the moment though as we continue our journey to Bordeaux. Read my report on this morning's press conference here.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

07:12 - ON TRAIN TO BORDEAUX
Sammy Lee just walked past looking for kitman Graham Carter. "He's back there," said the man from Thomas Cook, "What, in Paris?," joked Sammy. Just been told Rafa is giving a press briefing in the buffet suite on the train at 9am French time - just been to have a look, space is very tight. Wonder what the boss has to say this morning?
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

06:50 - ON TRAIN TO BORDEAUX
All the media are scattered along the TGV train to Bordeaux, which was delayed about 20 minutes. I'm sat with Steve from Radio City and the Five Live boys. Kevin Gallagher is taking the mickey out of Ian Dennis's deformed apple and Denno is now trying to work out how many semi-finals Rafa has won and lost as Liverpool manager. Won four, lost one, right?
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

07:00 - PARIS
Day two was always going to be a drag, with the effects of tiredness and the entirely necessary early start kicking in, but no one had really realised just how little fun this part of the trip would be. The prospect of a three and a half hour journey from Paris to the south west of France in order to catch a flight to Madrid's Barajas Airport, which is beset by the kind of major problems that attracts Sky News reporters in triplicate, does tend to sap any remaining feelgood factor though. As does the fact that the previous night Barcelona were battered by Inter Milan. If Messi and the rest can produce their only awful performance of the season after a 600 mile coach journey to Milan, how will Liverpool fare following a 1,200 mile trip by road, rail and air to Madrid?
Posted by Tony Barrett on his live Times blog

04:40 - PARIS
It's far too early to be blogging but we're up and just about to board a couple of coaches which will take us and the players to the train station in the middle of Paris. From there our mammoth journey continues with a three-hour trek to Bordeaux. Personally I'm going to try and get some more kip.
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman


TUES 20 APRIL

21:10 - PARIS
It's been a long day and time to say goodnight. Thanks for following our blog today and we hope you have enjoyed our updates. We're not nearly there yet, though. We're off again first thing tomorrow morning when the players and media will have an early wake-up call to ensure we're all on time for the train to Bordeaux at some silly hour. Then it's a flight from Bordeaux scheduled to finally take us to Madrid. Join us again tomorrow for the latest updates from our epic adventure - but for now it's goodnight from Paris.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

21:03
Further to my last update (19:15) I'm on the 19:48 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston. Getting picked up by some of the London Reds at 06:30 in Central London, then fast car to a Euro Tunnel shuttle and on through France, about half of Spain, then Madrid. All put together in the last couple of hours. Thanks London Reds!
Neil Thomas, President of the Madrid Reds, submitted by email

21:01
We have managed to organise a private jet to take us to the game - 6 of us going. We are supposed to be leaving Woodvale, Southport at 12pm on Thursday. We are to return after the game in to Speke. Let's hope we are able to fly.
Kevin, supporter, submitted by email

20:46 - PARIS
The players are no doubt being well fed tonight after a long day travelling. We, however, have popped out to taste the local cuisine. But Steve Hothersall from Radio City is wishing he hadn't bothered after taking one bite of this salmon pizza. "The worst thing I have ever tasted," was his verdict. And we've just heard all UK airports are to open at 10pm - so we didn't need to take this journey today. Ah well, it's been an experience anyway.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

19:43
I've been following your great trek and I hope that you have a great night in Paris. I live near Bordeaux and there are flights going off in all directions so I hope that you have a fast run down to Madrid. If not then look out for me on the platform at Bordeaux! All the best guys, go out there and win!
Charlie, supporter, submitted by email

19:15
I'm President of the Madrid Reds (Official AIB Branch) and am trapped in Liverpool after the Fulham and West Ham games!!! I'm looking for cars driving to Madrid from Liverpool/London. More news as it happens...
Neil Thomas, President of the Madrid Reds, submitted by email

19:07 - PARIS
Good to finally be at our destination for the night and we're now heading for our hotel. This is a first Euro trip for goalkeeper Martin Hansen and you can see the boy is minding his p's and q's. We've just found out the press are staying in the Hotel California. I really hope there's plenty of room in the Hotel California. I'm sure it's a lovely place, such a lovely place.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

19:02 - PARIS
And now we have arrived in the French capital. Just had a quick word with the kitman Graham and Doc Waller. Players are getting straight onto their coach - ours will be along in a minute.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

18:53
So my journey will commence tomorrow as of 6am (as soon as I finish my work as a DJ in the party resort of Las Americas) then it is a bus to the north of Tenerife. Followed by the relatively short trip into Madrid, landing at 14:15. As of here it will be a mystery what I will do, as my friends from Kirkby will not be attending due to cancelled flights. Therefore I will not be meeting them or my intended ticket!! What with a hotel room waiting and the sights of Madrid tempting again, as well as the chance(ticket permitting) of seeing the Reds, it will take more than a Volcano from Iceland to cancel this trip for me!
Kevin, supporter, submitted by email

18:37 - PARIS
We're almost there now - about ten minutes from the station, I'm sat opposite Kevin Gallagher who is travelling to commentate on the match for BBC Radio 5 Live. He's been watching 'The Hangover' with his headphones on. I'm not sure whether to take it personally or not.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

18:06 - PARIS
The staff and players are in one carriage and the press in another on this journey, but Rafa has just come to have a chat with us. He also took the opportunity to jokingly reprimand the photographers on board for taking great advantage of the free wine on offer.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

17:30 - PARIS
And just a minute after he spent six quid we were told anything from the cafe is free if you say you're from Liverpool FC. Ha ha. Craig not impressed.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

17:28 - PARIS
I found the cafe on the train - but really wish I hadn't. Six quid for a chicken sandwich and pringles. What a joke.
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

17:25 - PARIS
We're on French soil - although not many of the journalists will know that yet as most of them are asleep. Wonder if the players are taking the chance for a nap? I'm too busy watching a Michael McIntyre DVD to have a sleep - so funny.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

16:40 - ON EUROSTAR TO PARIS
It's been a fun day. Filming the team get off a bus onto a train; back onto another bus and then onto another train. Who said this job was glamorous? Matt has been carrying the kit while Jimmy has been trying to find some euros for our French cuisine later on. None of the three of us have been on the Eurostar before, it feels strange going through passport control and a metal detector to get on a train. Paris here we come.
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

16:35 - ON EUROSTAR TO PARIS
So we've left our first capital city of the day and are heading to our second (Paris). We won't reach our third until tomorrow afternoon. Plenty more autographs for the players to sign yet before we arrive. Destination Madrid just 1000 miles away.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

16:29 - ST PANCRAS
After arriving on the platform via a massive travelator, the players are escorted onto their train for the journey across the Channel. Spirits still seem high despite the long day - just a couple more hours on a train and then we'll arrive at our destination for the night,
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

16:07 - ST PANCRAS
Waiting to board the train to Paris. Liverpool team and staff in a luxury business lounge. Journalists sitting on the platform floor.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

15:58
I was on the same train to London from Runcorn. Just getting ferry to France and after match am staying for a week. Good luck boys.
Ant9305, supporter, posted to LFC Twitter

15:43 - ST PANCRAS
It's official - the volcanic ash hasn't shifted out of the way in time, meaning there's definitely no flight for us today. So in 45 minutes time we'll be on the Eurostar to Paris and an overnight stay in the French capital. The players have a carriage to themselves, as do the media.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

15:29 - ST PANCRAS
And now we're at St Pancras ready for our Eurostar connection to Paris. Not sure how the players are feeling at the moment - though they look happy enough - but the travelling journalists don't seem to have any complaints. "I'm loving this actually," says the Liverpool Echo's Dominic King. "When else would you travel to Madrid like this? It's like going to Minsk or somewhere."
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

The travelling media at St Pancras waiting for the train to France

15:03 - LONDON
Rafa signed loads of autographs before getting onto the coach - everyone seems to have enjoyed the journey and is ready for the next leg. We're sat on the most luxurious coach you've ever seen - leather seats, plasma TV screens, it's brilliant. Just a pity the journey to St Pancras is only 200 metres!
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

14:57 - LONDON
We've pulled into Euston Station to the unusual sight of two coaches waiting on the platform to take us onto the next leg of the journey. One coach is for the players and staff and the other for the media. Next up is the short trip to St Pancras Station and the Eurostar to France - unless we hear good news from Stansted.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

14:02 - ON TRAIN TO LONDON
We're somewhere south of Birmingham, one hundred miles into the journey. Only another 1200 to go! A scan of the papers, a game of cards and a browse on the laptop seem to be the favoured ways of the players to pass the time thus far.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

13:49 - ON TRAIN TO LONDON
The sandwiches are being dished out on the players' train. Can't see what everyone's having. I've got myself pork and apple with a triple chocolate muffin. Most of the players sat reading the paper.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

13:28 - ON TRAIN TO LONDON
Granada Reports got on the train at Runcorn, filmed a link and are now getting off at Stafford. Lightweights! Apparently there's a slot from Stansted in early evening which we can have - if the ash above gets a move on! Seems unlikely though.
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

13:22 - ON TRAIN TO LONDON
The LFC TV crew are sat in first class with Radio City. Everyone keeps commenting on all the luggage we've brought. Think Matt C is getting fed up with my 'it's all Matt's make up' gag.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

13:15 - ON TRAIN TO LONDON
Train just left for London, bit of a scrum at Runcorn station but everyone on board safe. Rafa and the players looking ready for a long trip! We'll find out at 2.30pm whether we can fly to Madrid from London - or whether it'll be another train over to Paris.
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter

FREE VIDEO: Reds begin epic adventure>>

12:50 - RUNCORN
We've arrived at the station to meet up with Rafa and the players. A good number of fans have turned up to get autographs - and all the players seem in good spirits ahead of a long day of travel. Goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero told me off for taking a photograph for this blog: "You see them every day, you don't need more photos," he said. Thankfully for me, he was joking!
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

12:22
Started at 8 this morning... Somewhere near York at the moment... Slow progress.
Stacey, supporter, submitted to LFC Twitter

11:58 - SPEKE, LIVERPOOL
Just arrived at the office in time to get a taxi to Runcorn station. Matt C already having a presenter's strop because I've not brought any playing cards. Also, just realised I forgot to feed the cat.
Posted by Jimmy Rice, Journalist

Craig, Matt and Jimmy before heading to Runcorn Station

11:40 - LIVERPOOL
Was at the game last night with a couple of Belgium lads Niko and Marc. They are heading home this morning. Myself, Terry Phillips and Dave Brown are heading down to Dover at 3pm, catching a ferry, driving up to Belgium, picking Marc and Niko up and then heading for Madrid. It is gonna be one hell of a journey, but a laugh at the same time.
John Kelly, supporter, submitted by email

11:15 - SPEKE, LIVERPOOL
Not a great start to the day. Getting all the equipment together and the fire alarm has gone off in our building! Luckily it was a false alarm. And Matt just tried to claim our laptop to watch his DVDs on the train to London, the cheek....
Posted by Craig Jones, Cameraman

10:26 - SPEKE, LIVERPOOL
The longest journey is about to begin! The LFC TV crew (myself, Jimmy Rice and cameraman Craig) will be travelling with the Liverpool team to Madrid today. We leave Runcorn by train this afternoon so we're getting all our equipment together now at LFC TV HQ. Who knows what the next 24 hours hold? I'll keep you updated...
Posted by Matt Critchley, Presenter