Braga against Liverpool

Carroll takes an elbow in the face from Kaka and stays down. The replay shows that it was intentional by the Braga defender and he should have been sent off.

Kuyt nearly gets on the end of a Carroll flick on but Rodriguez outpaces the striker.

Reina slices another goal kick and Carragher has to help out by volleying the ball down the other end of the pitch.

...Meireles shifts the ball to Johnson, but by the time he gets a chance to shoot he has been closed down. Why do players insist on doing that?

Carroll wins a freekick off Paulao. Meireles has a chance to shoot from 30-yards out...

Carragher hoofs the ball into the box for Carroll, who wins the header but has nobody up in support.

Kuyt twists and turns on the edge of the box looking for a way through the Braga defence but can't find one.

Braga have Liverpool penned in their own half with time ticking away. Silvio shoots over the bar from the edge of the box.

Viana launches another freekick into the Liverpool box. It is overhit and Reina comes off his line to collect the ball.

Dalglish is stalking the technical area pointing and gesticulating to try fire up his team for the final few minutes.

Garcia misdirects a pass that goes straight out of play and the home fans boo.

<b>Stat:</b> Braga have won their last two home matches vs English clubs without conceding a goal.

Liverpool are finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game now and Cole fouls Kaka.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga make another change. Lima goes off and is replaced by Meyong.

<b>Stat:</b> Braga have not drawn in EC matches in 2 years (15-match streak) since 0-0 draw at Paris St Germain in March 2009

Liverpool pass it around the back and then go long to Carroll, but this time the striker doesn't win his aerial battle.

Braga have ridden out Liverpool's flurry of attacks and are once again happy to just keep possession.

Braga have a corner. Viana swings it in with his left foot and the ball is going straight into Reina's goal until he gets a hand to it.

The game has got scrappy again since Braga's change of personnel.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga make a change with Liverpool now on top. Mossoro goes off and is replaced by Paulao.

Meireles takes the resulting corner and Carroll heads over the bar.

Kuyt brings the ball down on his chest and shoots on the turn. Braga keeper Artur turns it over the bar.

Lucas attempts a first time pass over the Braga defence for the onrushing Meireles but gets it all wrong.

Johnson climbs all over Alan.

I think Carroll has won every header he has challenged for so far. Rodriguez is down holding his face after the latest tussle.

Lucas heads a corner back across the box for Carroll, who gets his head to the ball but is flagged offside.

Cole dances into the box and goes down under a challenge from Kaka. No penalty says the ref.

Kuyt has dropped deeper to link up the play, with Carroll leading the line.

It's far more direct from Liverpool now but it's already been far more effective.

Liverpool have a corner. All eyes are on Carroll. He wins the header but climbed all over Kaka in doing so and concedes a foul.

Carroll has already won two flick ons and Kuyt has been agonisingly close to getting on the end of them.

Braga are the attack. Some calm and composed defending from Johnson sees off the danger and gives Liverpool possesion.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It's the moment we have all been waiting for. Carroll is on for Liverpool, replacing Poulsen.

Johnson burst forward down the flank. Salino clips his heels and should get booked for that cynical foul, but he doesn't.

Reina scuffs a goal kick and is lucky to escape as two Braga players just fail to get a foot to his daisy-cutter.

Alan takes a kick in the back from Poulsen.

The Braga fans have found their voices again.

Spearing battles in the corner with Silvio and thinks he has won a corner, but the linesman thinks differently.

Carragher keeps things calm at the back for Liverpool.

Cesar breaks for Braga and takes a tumble under a challenge from Kyrgiakos. The ref waves play on and tells the forward to stop playacting.

...Kyrgiakos gets his head to the delivery but can't direct his effort on target.

Cole wins a freekick off Garcia and Meireles has the chance to whip a cross into the box..

Braga have been very direct with their first two attacks, with Alan flicking the ball on for Lima.

Liverpool get the second half underway. No changes to the team as yet.

<b>HT:</b> The bad news for Liverpool is that Braga have won all four of the European games they've scored in this term, keeping a clean sheet each time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0310/alangoal20110310_275x155.jpg"> <br>Braga forward Alan scores from the penalty spot.

<b>HT:</b> Liverpool still have Carroll on the bench and the 6'2" striker would give them another option.

<b>HT:</b> Liverpool have squandered possession on the few occasions they have got forward in threatening positions but the have been a few signs that they can trouble the Braga defence.

<b>HT:</b> Well I won't lie, it's not been a thriller. Braga have been comfortable and with a 1-0 lead they don't need to do anything rash.

The whistle blows for half-time and Braga go in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

Cole cuts in from the left and chips a pass to the back post. Rodriguez heads the ball back to his goalkeeper.

...Viana strikes an ambitious shot from 35-yards. Reina could have had a cup of tea before collecting that effort.

The ref is having a word with Lucas following a foul on Salino. Braga have a freekick...

Cole is caught again, this time by Salino, but the foul is in the centre circle so there's no danger from the freekick.

Cole is buffeted by Kaka and wins a freekick.

Braga defender Rodriguez totally misjudges a header and the ball gets away from him but there is no Liverpool attacker near enough to take advantage.

Meireles lofts a decent cross into the box but Braga clear. Liverpool are yet to have a shot on goal.

Reina was beaten by Silvio's shot then. Liverpool lucky to escape.

...Viana slides a clever pass along the deck but Salino shanks his shot. The ball bounces out to Silvio who hits the bar with a dipping volley.

Skrtel gives Lima a nudge in the back and Braga have a freekick near the corner flag. Viana will take it again...

Apart from the penalty early on, this game has been very evenly matched.

Viani takes it. Spearing races out of the Liverpool wall to block the shot with his face. Great defending!

Salino makes a great dive off the ball to win a freekick 25-yards out after running into Poulsen.

Kuyt drives forward and attempts a one-two with Meireles, but the return ball is poor and the move breaks down.

Really scrappy stuff at the moment. Nothing to report.

Mossoro and Lima combine ahead of the Liverpool defence but Lucas tracks back to make an important tackle.

Braga are sitting back.

Alan rides the challenge of Johnson and delivers a good cross, but Kyrgiakos heads clear from the penalty spot.

Meireles cuts the ball back across the edge of the Braga box but Rodriguez steps out of defence to clear the danger.

Liverpool are building up a head of steam now. Kuyt is flagged offside as the Reds push forward.

Meireles takes it. But smashes his shot straight into the wall. That was very poor from the Portuguese midfielder.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Joe Cole is taken down by Kaka as he bursts through the defence. Liverpool have a freekick in a dangerous position.

Liverpool wouldn't be the first English team to lose in Braga - Arsenal lost 2-0 here in the Champions League group stage.

Joe Cole battles to make something happen for Liverpool but he is crowded out by three defenders.

The stadium isn't full but the Braga fans are certainly making a lot of noise.

Garcia jumps into the back of Johnson and it's yet another foul.

Kyrgiakos tries to redeeem himself from a corner but pushes Cesar in the back and gives away a freekick.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was unhappy with the awarding of the penalty but it was blatant foul by Kygiakos.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The Brazilian slots the ball into the bottom lefthand corner. Reina had no chance.

Alan will take it....

Johnson threatens to break but the moves breaks down and Mossoro is brought down for a penalty on the counter-attack.

Everytime Liverpool win the ball back they are too deep in their own half to do anything with it.

More possession for Braga who try to force the ball wide to Silvio. Spearing makes a tackle but gives away a foul.

Meireles has a shot blocked by Kaka on the edge of the box.

Mossoro fires the ball up to Lima in the box but the Braga striker can't shake his marker, Skrtel, who gets a foot in to make a good tackle.

Hugo Viana has the chance to deliver a freekick but it is headed clear by Kyrgiakos.

Liverpool seem happy to let the hosts have the ball in front of a massed defence. So far Braga have caused little problem for them.

Braga keep possession until Kaka (not that one) hoofs the ball up the pitch for Lima to chase.

About 800 Liverpool fans have made the trip to Braga.

Not much happening at the moment other than plenty of battling in midfield.

Silvio's cross from the left causes some trouble in the Reds' box. Poulsen can't clear the ball properly but Braga fail to make anything of it.

Salino, one of seven Brazilians in the Braga side, over hits a pass during this cagey start.

The home side are knocking the ball around confidently until Spearing breaks up the play for Liverpool.

Braga get the game underway, kicking from right to left, wearing an Arsenal-style strip.

The players have emerged from the tunnel into Braga's beautifully located, if not beautifully named Estadio AXA. Nicknamed 'The Quarry', there is a mountain face on one side of the ground.

Lima starts up front for Braga, but with an interchangable trio behind him they could cause trouble for a Liverpool defence that has Carragher at right-back.

There is no full debut for £35 million Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who is again on the bench. Hat-trick hero Dirk Kuyt starts up front.

Kenny Dalglish thinks that Gerrard may have to <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/892066/reds-boss-kenny-dalglish-won%27t-rule-out-steven-gerrard-surgery?cc=5739" target="_blank">undergo surgery to cure his groin problem.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0310/stevengerrardstands20110212_275x155.jpg"><br>Steven Gerrard will be missing.

Join us at 1800 GMT to see if Liverpool can progress in the Europa League against Portuguese side Braga.

Braga have ridden out Liverpool's flurry of attacks and are once again happy to just keep possession.

Braga have a corner. Viana swings it in with his left foot and the ball is going straight into Reina's goal until he gets a hand to it.

The game has got scrappy again since Braga's change of personnel.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga make a change with Liverpool now on top. Mossoro goes off and is replaced by Paulao.

Meireles takes the resulting corner and Carroll heads over the bar.

Kuyt brings the ball down on his chest and shoots on the turn. Braga keeper Artur turns it over the bar.

Lucas attempts a first time pass over the Braga defence for the onrushing Meireles but gets it all wrong.

Johnson climbs all over Alan.

I think Carroll has won every header he has challenged for so far. Rodriguez is down holding his face after the latest tussle.

Lucas heads a corner back across the box for Carroll, who gets his head to the ball but is flagged offside.

Cole dances into the box and goes down under a challenge from Kaka. No penalty says the ref.

Kuyt has dropped deeper to link up the play, with Carroll leading the line.

It's far more direct from Liverpool now but it's already been far more effective.

Liverpool have a corner. All eyes are on Carroll. He wins the header but climbed all over Kaka in doing so and concedes a foul.

Carroll has already won two flick ons and Kuyt has been agonisingly close to getting on the end of them.

Braga are the attack. Some calm and composed defending from Johnson sees off the danger and gives Liverpool possesion.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It's the moment we have all been waiting for. Carroll is on for Liverpool, replacing Poulsen.

Johnson burst forward down the flank. Salino clips his heels and should get booked for that cynical foul, but he doesn't.

Reina scuffs a goal kick and is lucky to escape as two Braga players just fail to get a foot to his daisy-cutter.

Alan takes a kick in the back from Poulsen.

The Braga fans have found their voices again.

Spearing battles in the corner with Silvio and thinks he has won a corner, but the linesman thinks differently.

Carragher keeps things calm at the back for Liverpool.

Cesar breaks for Braga and takes a tumble under a challenge from Kyrgiakos. The ref waves play on and tells the forward to stop playacting.

...Kyrgiakos gets his head to the delivery but can't direct his effort on target.

Cole wins a freekick off Garcia and Meireles has the chance to whip a cross into the box..

Braga have been very direct with their first two attacks, with Alan flicking the ball on for Lima.

Liverpool get the second half underway. No changes to the team as yet.

<b>HT:</b> The bad news for Liverpool is that Braga have won all four of the European games they've scored in this term, keeping a clean sheet each time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0310/alangoal20110310_275x155.jpg"> <br>Braga forward Alan scores from the penalty spot.

<b>HT:</b> Liverpool still have Carroll on the bench and the 6'2" striker would give them another option.

<b>HT:</b> Liverpool have squandered possession on the few occasions they have got forward in threatening positions but the have been a few signs that they can trouble the Braga defence.

<b>HT:</b> Well I won't lie, it's not been a thriller. Braga have been comfortable and with a 1-0 lead they don't need to do anything rash.

The whistle blows for half-time and Braga go in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

Cole cuts in from the left and chips a pass to the back post. Rodriguez heads the ball back to his goalkeeper.

...Viana strikes an ambitious shot from 35-yards. Reina could have had a cup of tea before collecting that effort.

The ref is having a word with Lucas following a foul on Salino. Braga have a freekick...

Cole is caught again, this time by Salino, but the foul is in the centre circle so there's no danger from the freekick.

Cole is buffeted by Kaka and wins a freekick.

Braga defender Rodriguez totally misjudges a header and the ball gets away from him but there is no Liverpool attacker near enough to take advantage.

Meireles lofts a decent cross into the box but Braga clear. Liverpool are yet to have a shot on goal.

Reina was beaten by Silvio's shot then. Liverpool lucky to escape.

...Viana slides a clever pass along the deck but Salino shanks his shot. The ball bounces out to Silvio who hits the bar with a dipping volley.

Skrtel gives Lima a nudge in the back and Braga have a freekick near the corner flag. Viana will take it again...

Apart from the penalty early on, this game has been very evenly matched.

Viani takes it. Spearing races out of the Liverpool wall to block the shot with his face. Great defending!

Salino makes a great dive off the ball to win a freekick 25-yards out after running into Poulsen.

Kuyt drives forward and attempts a one-two with Meireles, but the return ball is poor and the move breaks down.

Really scrappy stuff at the moment. Nothing to report.

Mossoro and Lima combine ahead of the Liverpool defence but Lucas tracks back to make an important tackle.

Braga are sitting back.

Alan rides the challenge of Johnson and delivers a good cross, but Kyrgiakos heads clear from the penalty spot.

Meireles cuts the ball back across the edge of the Braga box but Rodriguez steps out of defence to clear the danger.

Liverpool are building up a head of steam now. Kuyt is flagged offside as the Reds push forward.

Meireles takes it. But smashes his shot straight into the wall. That was very poor from the Portuguese midfielder.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Joe Cole is taken down by Kaka as he bursts through the defence. Liverpool have a freekick in a dangerous position.

Liverpool wouldn't be the first English team to lose in Braga - Arsenal lost 2-0 here in the Champions League group stage.

Joe Cole battles to make something happen for Liverpool but he is crowded out by three defenders.

The stadium isn't full but the Braga fans are certainly making a lot of noise.

Garcia jumps into the back of Johnson and it's yet another foul.

Kyrgiakos tries to redeeem himself from a corner but pushes Cesar in the back and gives away a freekick.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was unhappy with the awarding of the penalty but it was blatant foul by Kygiakos.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The Brazilian slots the ball into the bottom lefthand corner. Reina had no chance.

Alan will take it....

Johnson threatens to break but the moves breaks down and Mossoro is brought down for a penalty on the counter-attack.

Everytime Liverpool win the ball back they are too deep in their own half to do anything with it.

More possession for Braga who try to force the ball wide to Silvio. Spearing makes a tackle but gives away a foul.

Meireles has a shot blocked by Kaka on the edge of the box.

Mossoro fires the ball up to Lima in the box but the Braga striker can't shake his marker, Skrtel, who gets a foot in to make a good tackle.

Hugo Viana has the chance to deliver a freekick but it is headed clear by Kyrgiakos.

Liverpool seem happy to let the hosts have the ball in front of a massed defence. So far Braga have caused little problem for them.

Braga keep possession until Kaka (not that one) hoofs the ball up the pitch for Lima to chase.

About 800 Liverpool fans have made the trip to Braga.

Not much happening at the moment other than plenty of battling in midfield.

Silvio's cross from the left causes some trouble in the Reds' box. Poulsen can't clear the ball properly but Braga fail to make anything of it.

Salino, one of seven Brazilians in the Braga side, over hits a pass during this cagey start.

The home side are knocking the ball around confidently until Spearing breaks up the play for Liverpool.

Braga get the game underway, kicking from right to left, wearing an Arsenal-style strip.

The players have emerged from the tunnel into Braga's beautifully located, if not beautifully named Estadio AXA. Nicknamed 'The Quarry', there is a mountain face on one side of the ground.

Lima starts up front for Braga, but with an interchangable trio behind him they could cause trouble for a Liverpool defence that has Carragher at right-back.

There is no full debut for £35 million Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who is again on the bench. Hat-trick hero Dirk Kuyt starts up front.

Kenny Dalglish thinks that Gerrard may have to <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/892066/reds-boss-kenny-dalglish-won%27t-rule-out-steven-gerrard-surgery?cc=5739" target="_blank">undergo surgery to cure his groin problem.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0310/stevengerrardstands20110212_275x155.jpg"><br>Steven Gerrard will be missing.

Join us at 1800 GMT to see if Liverpool can progress in the Europa League against Portuguese side Braga.