Reds drop out of Europe after disappointing performance

Liverpool’s Europa League dream is over after the Reds were held to a very non-eventful goalless draw at home to Braga, losing 1-0 on aggregate.

There was little to report from the match on a night where Andy Carroll made his full debut up front for Liverpool, Danny Wilson started at left- back (where he looked lost all night) and Pepe Reina made his 300th appearance for the club.

Braga, to their credit, played a very good game plan and defended strong to not let Liverpool create many chances.

Carroll spent the night having balls lobbed up to him, but looked more comfortable with the ball at his feet. There was no pace in the Reds team all evening, even after the late introduction of David N’gog into the game.

The result will come as a blow to Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish – now five years and counting without silverwear.

All attentions turn to the Premier League trip to Sunderland on Sunday, but there now looks little to play for in the final part of the season.

The game was watched by principal owner John Henry, who on reflection must now know that a lot of work to do in the transfer window this summer to fix a very broken squad.

Team Line-ups and Substitutions

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Wilson, Carragher, Skrtel, Meireles, Cole (Ngog 75), Maxi (Spearing 76), Lucas, Kuyt, Carroll.

Substitutes: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Flanagan, Spearing, Poulsen, Pacheco, Ngog.

Braga: Artur, Alberto Rodriguez, Paulao, Miguel Garcia, Silvio, Leandro Salino (Mossoro 89), Hugo Viana, Vandinho (Kaka 73), Paulo, Cesar, Lima (Meyong 84), Alan.

Substitutes: Cristiano , Kaka, Dani, Mossoro, Peterson, Helder Barbosa, Meyong.