'No way Liverpool should play in Israel' - Benitez

Former European champions Liverpool will know this week where the second leg of their Champions League tie with Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa will be staged.

Immediate security concerns were raised by the English club after they were drawn to play in the troubled region on Friday as UEFA wrote to the Israeli FA asking for added safety assurances for clubs due to play there.

But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said he was appalled at the prospect of the club's staff having to travel to Israel at a time when the country is involved in military action.

"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," he told Liverpool's website.

The match will definitely not take place in Haifa, which is close to the conflict zone, but may go ahead in Tel Aviv or be moved to a neutral country.

The first leg is set for Anfield on August 8 or 9 with Haifa at home in the second on either August 22 or 23.

Benitez added: "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."

Despite pleas from Haifa president Jacob Schachar that it is "very quiet" in Tel Aviv and the third qualifying round game could be staged there, it seems impossible for the Israelis to be able to give UEFA the "100% assurances of safety" that they want as the war in southern Lebanon rages on.

UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner said the situation was being closely monitored and a decision would be taken this week.