There are many ways to lift a team in crisis. Train harder, for example. Or appoint a new manager. Or go on a team-bonding boot camp.

Liverpool, however, have taken a slightly different route. They have been flown to Naples for their Europa League game against Napoli on Thursday by the Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson. Iron Maiden have had hits such as Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter and, of course, Number of the Beast, although it is unclear whether the 52-year-old performed any of these songs before take-off or landing.

"I would like to see Liverpool winning again," Dickinson told the Liverpool Echo. "They have had a hard time recently but they are such an institution and mean so much to so many people. It would be nice to see them with their tails up."

Liverpool fans need not to worry, however, as Dickinson has been a pilot for over 10 years and regularly flies the Iron Maiden band members around the world when they are on tour. He had flown from Iceland to Orlando on Sunday night before taking the Liverpool team to Italy this morning.

Dickinson added: "When I was five, I had Airfix kits like everyone other boy, but I was always too busy doing music. Once I did find the time to fly I was completely hooked. I am not sure how I became a captain of an aeroplane."

When asked whether he preferred singing or flying, he said: "I don't know – that is one of those questions, like which one of your kids would you throw out of a hot-air balloon. Iron Maiden fans would lynch me if I stopped singing."