Liverpool Exploring Eight Options to Host Leipzig Champions League Second Leg

The first leg of Liverpool’s Round of 16 Champions League tie was forced away from RB Leipzig’s home Red Bull Arena and played instead in Budapest, Hungary due to German travel restrictions that wouldn’t have allowed the Reds to fly into the country.

Now, the second leg at Anfield is also likely to be relocated, as current German travel restrictions would force Leipzig’s staff and squad to go into self-quarantine for ten days upon their return if they were to head to England to play the match as scheduled.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, there’s still about a week for the situation to change such that Anfield could host the match, but if things don’t then one of eight venues in six European countries is set to be chosen to host the second leg of the tie.

The only named option is Budapest’s Puskas Arena, which hosted the first leg and is under consideration to also host the second, though one would expect that Liverpool’s preference would be to limit travel time by holding the second leg closer to home if possible.

According to UEFA guidelines, the home club is responsible for finding a neutral venue to host any Champions League match that cannot be played as scheduled due to the travel restrictions of either club’s country, with the clubs then sharing resultant costs.