Liverpool v Maccabi Haifa Anfield, kick-off 8.05Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez spoke of his relief yesterday that his side do not have to travel to Israel for the second leg of their qualifier, insisting Uefa have made the right decision.
Europe's governing body decided on Monday to ban Israeli teams from playing matches at home during the current Middle East crisis.
"We know it is a very bad situation and we are sorry for that," said Benitez. "But we have to think about our own people and it is better to play the game at another venue. We need to think about football and our people, at this moment it is not normal to play in a country with these problems.
"We have not been told where the second leg will be yet, Haifa have got time and do not have to decide until Friday, we must wait."
Kiev has been heavily tipped, and though Liverpool would prefer a country nearer England the Anfield club have no say in the venue as long as Uefa agree with Haifa's choice.
Steve McClaren spent yesterday at Liverpool's Melwood training ground and Benitez admitted he questioned the new England manager on who would take over from David Beckham as team captain - Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is, of course, one of the favourites for the job.
"Steve (McClaren) and me talked about the future for England, the team, it was a good conversation between two friends about football.
"I asked him who would be the next England captain, but was told nothing, he just smiled at me. But it would be good for Steven Gerrard even if it is more work for him. We will have to wait for a decision."
Liverpool will be without Robbie Fowler (knee) and Fabio Aurelio (calf) for tonight's match, which is reckoned to be worth more than £10 million to the winners as they progress to the lucrative group stages.
And Benitez - who confirmed that he is still chasing Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt - made it clear he sees Haifa as serious opponents, a club he faced in the Uefa Cup when boss of Valencia three seasons ago.
Haifa managed a remarkable 0-0 draw in the Mestalla before losing the second leg 4-0.
"We know we are facing a good team, they have won the title in Israel for the last three years, so they are worthy opponents," said Benitez.
Maccabi Haifa coach Roni Levi has spoken of how the conflict in the Middle East has impacted on his team ahead of tonight's Champions League qualifier.
The Israeli side's preparations have been severely disrupted.
"It's no excuse, the fact is that our preparations have been disrupted," said Levi.
"We have found ourselves wandering all over the place. We haven't been able to train on our own pitch and that obviously isn't easy for anyone.
"If it were only for a day or two it would have been okay, but two weeks is really tough. People are living out of their cars. They are tense, nervous and anxious about what's happening in Haifa."
Levi admits losing midfielder Idan Tal to Bolton in the summer hit the club hard. "I would have loved for Idan to stay, but it didn't work out. As a coach you have to deal all the time with difficulties that come up. It's part of the job."
