Liverpool avoid match in Israel
Uefa has confirmed that Liverpool will play their Champions League third-round qualifier away leg against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa at a neutral venue.
The match was switched because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
A statement read: \"Uefa has decided no European competition matches can be staged in Israel until further notice.\"
The tie, which will be staged on 23 August, could be played at Dynamo Kiev's stadium in Ukraine after the club's president gave permission.
Igor Surkis told The Times last week: \"I was approached by people from the Israeli club and also Israel's ambassador in Ukraine, who asked if it was possible to play the game in Ukraine.
\"I gave my provisional consent and said that security during the match would be guaranteed.
\"The Ukrainian football federation have already been informed about our initial agreement as any final decision over the staging of the game must be taken by them and Uefa.\"
After the draw was made, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said it was \"totally unacceptable\" to go to Israel, given the current security situation.
Uefa has already said Israel cannot host Uefa Cup second qualifying round games.
Hapoel Tel Aviv's home tie against NK Domzale of Slovenia on 8 August will now be played in Holland while Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv's home match with Bulgaria's Lokomotiv Sofia on 10 August will be held in Slovakia.
The Israeli FA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but that was rejected.
Uefa says it will \"continue to monitor the safety and security situation in Israel and further decisions will be made according to changes in the situation.\"
Benitez says his team not at best
Rafael Benitez admitted Liverpool were not at their best as they qualified for the Champions League group stages.
\"We created by far the most chances and deserve to go through,\" Benitez said after a 1-1 draw with Maccabi Haifa gave the Reds a 3-2 aggregate win.
\"Maybe after the next few weeks and when the international break is over you will see a side that can progress.
\"It's been hard to get the players to the same level of physical preparation. That has made things very difficult.\"
Haifa coach Roni Levy said Uefa's decision to switch the tie to Kiev due to the Middle East conflict had not helped his side.
\"It was always going to be difficult for us with the way we had to play here in Kiev and not in Israel.
\"At this level of competition, home advantage is crucial.
\"Liverpool got a very late winner at Anfield because of their home backing, and we would have done much better had we been on home soil.
\"Do not forget we were playing one of Europe's biggest clubs and held them to a draw.
\"Maybe in Israel it would have been different.\"
