On the train with Rafa

The film Planes, Trains and Automobiles has got nothing on Liverpool's latest European adventure.

And this morning our epic journey to face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals took another strange twist as Rafa Benitez - the Steve Martin of the piece - gave a pre-match media briefing in the packed buffet suite of a TGV train from Paris to Bordeaux.

The gaffer addressed members of Her Majesty's press while his squad took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep amid their 23-hour trek.

"It's really strange," admitted Benitez. "But it's not too bad. We're all close together in here, so that's good - and maybe it's good for the spirit between the staff and the press!

"Maybe we should play some cards, no?

"The players are now sleeping. Maybe they'll be a little bit tired, but after training this evening they will be fine. Their reaction has been really good. They're sleeping, so it's fantastic! And they understand that we have to do things in this way."

The squad are due to fly to Madrid once arriving in Bordeaux. From there they will train at the Vicente Calderon tonight before enjoying a bit of relaxation time tomorrow.

Video: Rafa chats to the press on the train>>

Benitez added: "We'll try to do normal training sessions once we get to Madrid and from there hopefully everything will be okay. They'll then have a day to rest.

"The medical staff are working hard, trying to give the players the things they need.

"It's important to adapt, and the people who have organised the journey have done a very good job. Everyone has a really positive mentality."

One man not making the trip is Fernando Torres, who is recovering from knee surgery and so will not face his boyhood club.

The boss confirmed his star striker will not be at the stadium on Thursday.

"He's doing recovery work with the doctor in the clinic," said Benitez. "We were talking about maybe a video conference so he can see his teammates!"

While Torres's absence is bound to be felt, the Liverpool manager is hopeful there'll be plenty of Kopites in the ground despite the volcanic ash interrupting flights.

"We have a lot of fans in Spain since we've had Spanish people at the club so hopefully we will have people there supporting us," he added.

Benitez is still not sure how he and the rest of the party will get back to Liverpool after the game - but he is hoping his pre-Burnley press call will not be quite as bizarre as this.

"Fingers crossed the sky will be clear and we can come back by plane," he said. "That would be easier, but if not we can come back and do another interview on the train."

Video: Rafa's press conference on the train>>