Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said that there it is a “totally unacceptable” that Liverpool are expected to travel to Israel to play their Champions League qualifying match against Maccabi Haifa.

The Reds boss is concerned at the prospect of the club's players and fans having to travel to Israel for the qualifier at a time when the country is involved in military action.

The first leg is to be played at Anfield on August 8/9, with the return currently scheduled to be played at Israel's national Ramat Gan stadium near Tel-Aviv on August 22/23, but Benitez wants to have the game moved to a neutral venue.

“It’s a crazy situation and totally unacceptable to even think about us going over there at this time,” Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“A few years back when I was with Valencia we were drawn to play Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Cup tie and the match was switched to Cyprus. The situation then was nowhere near as bad as it is now.

“Valencia also had a European game in the Ukraine on the day the twin towers were attacked in America and I can remember the confusion that caused with the players on their mobile phones constantly to their families who were wondering when we'd be getting back. It’s impossible to prepare for a game in these circumstances.

“There is no way we should be going to Israel to play a game of football at this time. It's crazy to even consider it. UEFA cannot put anyone at risk. The situation is very clear in my mind. I feel sad for the people over there at the moment because it's a terrible time for them, but we have to put the security and safety of everyone involved before anything else and that means we cannot travel there. It would be impossible to concentrate on the game.

“UEFA need to make a decision quickly because there will be lots of our supporters wanting to know what is happening."

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