Braga win 1-0 on aggregate
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Wilson
Cole Meireles Lucas Maxi
Kuyt Carroll
Hoofing in the direction of Carroll is slightly prettier than the previous aimless hoofing, but it's no more successful.
Without true wingers, Liverpool's attack broke down when Cole broke down. He lasted a little more than 20 minutes. For the first half of the first half, the home side were actually excellent. The 4-2-2-2 formation showed attacking intent, Johnson and Wilson attempted to get forward, and Carroll won header after header. Braga posed a couple of early threats from set plays, but otherwise couldn't trouble Liverpool's back line.
Unsurprisingly, Carroll was the centerpiece. His flick-on created the first opening, in the 8th minute, with Cole's point blank shot saved. Carroll then won the subsequent corner, heading wide of the near post. Four minutes later, clever play from Maxi nearly released the new number 29, only to be arguably ruled offside (not for the last time). And in the 22nd, the referee could have leveled the tie's penalty count when Carroll was pushed in the back on a corner, but – like his counterpart last week – ignored protests and, to delightfully add insult to injury, called a foul on the striker. There were two softer shouts in the 34th minute when Braga defenders resorted to pushing Carroll and Lucas to prevent chances, but – again like last week – Liverpool's problems were more of their own making than the officials'.
After 25 minutes, Braga began nullifying Liverpool by keeping possession. Increasingly reliant on hoofs toward a giant striker and out-numbered in midfield was a deadly combination. To compound matters, Alan had the beating of Wilson time and time again, but Carragher and Skrtel kept Reina fairly comfortable.
Matters didn't change much after the interval, especially since Braga were happy to retreat step by step, packing men into its own half. Getting absolutely nothing from the flanks, play was wretchedly bogged down in midfield. Liverpool had no response other than more and more punts to the forwards. Lucas and Meireles probably have stiff necks from watching the ball sail overhead all day.
The substitutions, made with 15 minutes to play, only exacerbated the trend. Spearing replaced Maxi, Ngog replaced Cole, and Liverpool kept the same formation. Kuyt went left, Meireles went right, and the ball went in the direction of Ngog or Carroll, both surrounded by approximately three defenders at all times.
With complete possession in the last ten minutes, the home side finally created three more chances. The first was a Carroll header from Meireles' corner, on target, blocked by Kuyt's head. The second, moments later, came when Carragher hoofed the ball back into Skrtel, whose barely-believable chest then volley was smartly parried by Artur. The third, deep in injury time, saw Ngog unable to make contact with Meireles' perfectly-lofted free kick. You've probably noticed all three of those started from set plays.
And thus, any hope of Europe next season or a trophy in this ends not with a bang but a whimper. Liverpool have few complaints about either. The squad is supermodel thin and suffering from injuries, but Liverpool could have played until tomorrow without scoring. The club may have been unbeaten in the competition until the last leg, but through ten Europa League games (not counting qualifiers), they only won three. Five of the six draws ended 0-0.
Just as the league has often revealed Liverpool's problems in defense, the Europa League laid bare the weaknesses in attack. Suarez couldn't have been more missed against both Braga and Sparta Prague. Carroll looks a handful, but also ended up hindering Liverpool tactically, as was feared. This team has no width and no guile. Suarez remedies just one of those faults, and he's just one player.
Liverpool have a lot of work to do this summer. And now it has to be done without the allure of European football.
Showing posts with label Braga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Braga. Show all posts
17 March 2011
16 March 2011
Liverpool v Braga 03.17.11
4:05pm ET, live in the US on GolTV
Braga lead 1-0 on aggregate
Round of 32:
Liverpool: 1-0 Sparta (h); 0-0 Sparta (a)
Braga: 2-0 Lech Poznan (h); 0-1 Lech Poznan (a)
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Braga: 0-2 Shakhtar (a); 2-0 Arsenal (h); 1-0 Partizan (a); 2-0 Partizan (h); 0-2 Shakhtar (h); 0-6 Arsenal (a) [Champions League]
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Braga (a); 3-1 United (h); 1-3 West Ham (a)
Braga: 1-0 Liverpool (h); 2-1 Benfica (h); 0-0 Naval (a)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Kuyt 2; Cole, Jovanovic, Lucas 1
Braga: Lima 5; Alan 3; Echiejlie, Paulo Cesar 1
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Wilson
Lucas Spearing
Kuyt Meireles Maxi
Carroll
Will he or won't he?
Dalglish on Carroll:
That's a good a sign as any.
Otherwise, the injury 'crisis' has only slightly abated. Agger and Shelvey are back in training, with Agger a bit further along. Gerrard, Aurelio, and Kelly are definitely still out. I suspect Agger will continue to be handled with kid gloves, probably protected with an eye on Sunday's trip to Sunderland, but his return would be a vast boon. Without Agger, it's a choice between the back-line we saw last Thursday and Wilson coming in at left back. Kyrgiakos, responsible for the penalty, was a step slow against the likes of Lima and Alan, which tempts me into thinking Carragher will partner Skrtel, with Johnson back on the right.
Liverpool played both 4-2-3-1 and 4-2-2-2 in the last leg. We've seen a lot of the first formation in the Europa League (at Braga, both legs against Sparta, approximately half the matches under Hodgson), while the entrance of Carroll prompted the switch to 4-2-2-2 a week ago. If starting, Carroll could play as the lone striker, with the likes of Kuyt, Meireles, etc joining the attack from deep, or the man-mountain Geordie could partner the Dutchman with some combination of Meireles, Cole, and Maxi ostensibly on the flanks.
That Spearing joined Dalglish at the press conferences is as good a sign as any that he'll start. Crammed into an ineffective right-sided berth last Thursday, I'm hopeful he'll replace Poulsen tomorrow. The combination of Lucas and Spearing holding should be enough protection at Anfield whether the formation's 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2.
Like Liverpool, Braga had the weekend off, which has marginally aided their injury concerns. Skipper Vandinho could return from a month-long absence, while Kaka (Señor Elbow) and Alan picked up knocks in the last leg. Holding midfielder Custodio and left back Elderson Echiejile are still out.
Braga did incredibly well to take the game to a sub-par Liverpool in the first half last week, but will most certainly look to hold what they have at Anfield, reliant on defending deep (as they did once Carroll came on) and counter attacks through the fleet-footed Alan and Lima. If Liverpool play too openly, attacking midfielder Mossoro (who won the penalty in the last meeting) will have room to operate; Lucas and Spearing will have to mark the trequartista step for step. Conceding an away goal would be an absolute hammer blow, requiring Liverpool to score three.
Of course, that's exactly what happened when Liverpool came back to beat Olympiakos in 2004-05, with a late late late late late goal to qualifying for the knockout rounds, ultimately winning the tournament (as you may remember). Never count out Liverpool on European nights.
Braga lead 1-0 on aggregate
Round of 32:
Liverpool: 1-0 Sparta (h); 0-0 Sparta (a)
Braga: 2-0 Lech Poznan (h); 0-1 Lech Poznan (a)
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Braga: 0-2 Shakhtar (a); 2-0 Arsenal (h); 1-0 Partizan (a); 2-0 Partizan (h); 0-2 Shakhtar (h); 0-6 Arsenal (a) [Champions League]
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Braga (a); 3-1 United (h); 1-3 West Ham (a)
Braga: 1-0 Liverpool (h); 2-1 Benfica (h); 0-0 Naval (a)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Kuyt 2; Cole, Jovanovic, Lucas 1
Braga: Lima 5; Alan 3; Echiejlie, Paulo Cesar 1
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Wilson
Lucas Spearing
Kuyt Meireles Maxi
Carroll
Will he or won't he?
Dalglish on Carroll:
"He's fit and well, but what we're going to do with him remains to be seen. We either start with him or he comes on in the second half - it's up to us to make that decision."
That's a good a sign as any.
Otherwise, the injury 'crisis' has only slightly abated. Agger and Shelvey are back in training, with Agger a bit further along. Gerrard, Aurelio, and Kelly are definitely still out. I suspect Agger will continue to be handled with kid gloves, probably protected with an eye on Sunday's trip to Sunderland, but his return would be a vast boon. Without Agger, it's a choice between the back-line we saw last Thursday and Wilson coming in at left back. Kyrgiakos, responsible for the penalty, was a step slow against the likes of Lima and Alan, which tempts me into thinking Carragher will partner Skrtel, with Johnson back on the right.
Liverpool played both 4-2-3-1 and 4-2-2-2 in the last leg. We've seen a lot of the first formation in the Europa League (at Braga, both legs against Sparta, approximately half the matches under Hodgson), while the entrance of Carroll prompted the switch to 4-2-2-2 a week ago. If starting, Carroll could play as the lone striker, with the likes of Kuyt, Meireles, etc joining the attack from deep, or the man-mountain Geordie could partner the Dutchman with some combination of Meireles, Cole, and Maxi ostensibly on the flanks.
That Spearing joined Dalglish at the press conferences is as good a sign as any that he'll start. Crammed into an ineffective right-sided berth last Thursday, I'm hopeful he'll replace Poulsen tomorrow. The combination of Lucas and Spearing holding should be enough protection at Anfield whether the formation's 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2.
Like Liverpool, Braga had the weekend off, which has marginally aided their injury concerns. Skipper Vandinho could return from a month-long absence, while Kaka (Señor Elbow) and Alan picked up knocks in the last leg. Holding midfielder Custodio and left back Elderson Echiejile are still out.
Braga did incredibly well to take the game to a sub-par Liverpool in the first half last week, but will most certainly look to hold what they have at Anfield, reliant on defending deep (as they did once Carroll came on) and counter attacks through the fleet-footed Alan and Lima. If Liverpool play too openly, attacking midfielder Mossoro (who won the penalty in the last meeting) will have room to operate; Lucas and Spearing will have to mark the trequartista step for step. Conceding an away goal would be an absolute hammer blow, requiring Liverpool to score three.
Of course, that's exactly what happened when Liverpool came back to beat Olympiakos in 2004-05, with a late late late late late goal to qualifying for the knockout rounds, ultimately winning the tournament (as you may remember). Never count out Liverpool on European nights.
10 March 2011
Liverpool 0-1 Braga
Reina
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel Johnson
Lucas Poulsen
Spearing Meireles Cole
Kuyt
Goals:
Alan 18' (pen)
0-1 isn't the worst result to return to Anfield with. But that doesn't make today much easier to stomach.
The above line-up is the best demonstration of Liverpool's complete lack of depth yet. With Gerrard, Agger, Kelly, Shelvey and Aurelio injured, Suarez ineligible, and Carroll not ready for 90 minutes, Liverpool started Reina, 3 center-backs, one right back at left back, four central midfielders (three of whom are defensive midfielders), one attacking midfielder and a striker converted to winger converted to striker. And crammed them into a fairly orthodox 4-2-3-1 formation. Small wonder the side was goal-shy until Carroll came on in the 57th.
This will come off harsher than it's meant, but if you ever wanted to see what "a team of Carraghers" looks like, today was your day. Lacking in pace and attacking guile, Liverpool's plan was fairly clear: strangle the center of the pitch and pack the defense. Kuyt was wholly isolated and often caught offside. And to make matters worse, Liverpool consistently gave the ball away in dangerous positions, ensuring that keeping possession was a lost cause.
So it wasn't much of a surprise when Braga took the lead after 18 minutes, following yet another giveaway and a rash challenge by Kyrgiakos. Johnson, on one of his few forays forward, was too easily dispossessed, leading to a quick counter where Liverpool let Alan run 40 yards with the ball before he found Mossoro, scythed down by a step-too-slow Kyrgiakos after a clever turn. Alan duly converted the spot kick low into the corner despite Reina guessing correctly.
The goal prompted little response from Liverpool. Unable to stretch the opposition, Braga remained the better side. Liverpool never suffered another defensive breakdown from open play; Braga only threatened once – on a clever set piece where Mossoro was left open for a centered free kick but whiffed, followed by Silvio's cannon off the crossbar from approximately a mile away. But the complete and utter inability to string anything together in attack kept Liverpool second-best. The away side didn't take a shot until a minute into added time, a Meireles flicked header easily claimed by Artur.
Liverpool were marginally brighter after the interval, clearly lectured by an irate manager, with either Lucas or Poulsen looking to join the attack. But things never truly changed until Carroll replaced Poulsen, shifting to a 4-2-2-2 with Lucas and Spearing holding and Meireles and Cole on the flanks. The enormous striker won everything in the air, and took less than two minutes to create an excellent opportunity: flicking on for Kuyt, who was unable to collect when one-on-one with the keeper.
Four minutes after that, Liverpool should have gotten their own spot kick when Kaka felled Cole in the box. Cole dramatically emphasized the tackle, but Kaka clearly made contact with the player. It wasn't the first time the Belgian referee apparently favored the home side, and it wouldn't be the last.
Liverpool kept up the pressure for the next five to ten minutes, with Carroll's fierce shot deflected, Kuyt's chest-to-volleyed-effort saved, and Kyrgiakos header from a corner shouldered over the bar, but Braga blunted Liverpool's momentum by bringing on an extra defender for attacking midfielder Mossoro in the 69th, allowing the away side even less room to awkwardly operate.
With few opportunities to write about, the main talking point came in the 91st, when Kaka decided the best (read: only) way to stop Carroll was to intentionally elbow him directly in the face. Unsurprisingly, the referee saw absolutely nothing wrong with the challenge, which absolutely deserved a red card. It could have been much worse for Liverpool had Carroll been injured, but that he wholly threw himself into the next aerial duel demonstrated no ill effects.
Braga did well in the opening half with Liverpool so impotent, but it should still be an entirely different story at Anfield, especially if Gerrard, Agger or Aurelio's available or Carroll's ready to start. 0-1 is obviously precarious, but not the end of the world. Liverpool are behind, but will need to prevent the crucial away goal. If Braga score at Anfield, Liverpool will need three. But just one goal will get extra time, two will win the tie. And Liverpool can score twice against this lot.
A loss has been coming in this competition based on past European performances. It wasn't all that different from matches against Utrecht, Napoli, or Sparta. That Liverpool were so ineffective and disappointing for the first hour clearly worries, but they still could have gotten the desired 0-0 were it not for one rash challenge.
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel Johnson
Lucas Poulsen
Spearing Meireles Cole
Kuyt
Goals:
Alan 18' (pen)
0-1 isn't the worst result to return to Anfield with. But that doesn't make today much easier to stomach.
The above line-up is the best demonstration of Liverpool's complete lack of depth yet. With Gerrard, Agger, Kelly, Shelvey and Aurelio injured, Suarez ineligible, and Carroll not ready for 90 minutes, Liverpool started Reina, 3 center-backs, one right back at left back, four central midfielders (three of whom are defensive midfielders), one attacking midfielder and a striker converted to winger converted to striker. And crammed them into a fairly orthodox 4-2-3-1 formation. Small wonder the side was goal-shy until Carroll came on in the 57th.
This will come off harsher than it's meant, but if you ever wanted to see what "a team of Carraghers" looks like, today was your day. Lacking in pace and attacking guile, Liverpool's plan was fairly clear: strangle the center of the pitch and pack the defense. Kuyt was wholly isolated and often caught offside. And to make matters worse, Liverpool consistently gave the ball away in dangerous positions, ensuring that keeping possession was a lost cause.
So it wasn't much of a surprise when Braga took the lead after 18 minutes, following yet another giveaway and a rash challenge by Kyrgiakos. Johnson, on one of his few forays forward, was too easily dispossessed, leading to a quick counter where Liverpool let Alan run 40 yards with the ball before he found Mossoro, scythed down by a step-too-slow Kyrgiakos after a clever turn. Alan duly converted the spot kick low into the corner despite Reina guessing correctly.
The goal prompted little response from Liverpool. Unable to stretch the opposition, Braga remained the better side. Liverpool never suffered another defensive breakdown from open play; Braga only threatened once – on a clever set piece where Mossoro was left open for a centered free kick but whiffed, followed by Silvio's cannon off the crossbar from approximately a mile away. But the complete and utter inability to string anything together in attack kept Liverpool second-best. The away side didn't take a shot until a minute into added time, a Meireles flicked header easily claimed by Artur.
Liverpool were marginally brighter after the interval, clearly lectured by an irate manager, with either Lucas or Poulsen looking to join the attack. But things never truly changed until Carroll replaced Poulsen, shifting to a 4-2-2-2 with Lucas and Spearing holding and Meireles and Cole on the flanks. The enormous striker won everything in the air, and took less than two minutes to create an excellent opportunity: flicking on for Kuyt, who was unable to collect when one-on-one with the keeper.
Four minutes after that, Liverpool should have gotten their own spot kick when Kaka felled Cole in the box. Cole dramatically emphasized the tackle, but Kaka clearly made contact with the player. It wasn't the first time the Belgian referee apparently favored the home side, and it wouldn't be the last.
Liverpool kept up the pressure for the next five to ten minutes, with Carroll's fierce shot deflected, Kuyt's chest-to-volleyed-effort saved, and Kyrgiakos header from a corner shouldered over the bar, but Braga blunted Liverpool's momentum by bringing on an extra defender for attacking midfielder Mossoro in the 69th, allowing the away side even less room to awkwardly operate.
With few opportunities to write about, the main talking point came in the 91st, when Kaka decided the best (read: only) way to stop Carroll was to intentionally elbow him directly in the face. Unsurprisingly, the referee saw absolutely nothing wrong with the challenge, which absolutely deserved a red card. It could have been much worse for Liverpool had Carroll been injured, but that he wholly threw himself into the next aerial duel demonstrated no ill effects.
Braga did well in the opening half with Liverpool so impotent, but it should still be an entirely different story at Anfield, especially if Gerrard, Agger or Aurelio's available or Carroll's ready to start. 0-1 is obviously precarious, but not the end of the world. Liverpool are behind, but will need to prevent the crucial away goal. If Braga score at Anfield, Liverpool will need three. But just one goal will get extra time, two will win the tie. And Liverpool can score twice against this lot.
A loss has been coming in this competition based on past European performances. It wasn't all that different from matches against Utrecht, Napoli, or Sparta. That Liverpool were so ineffective and disappointing for the first hour clearly worries, but they still could have gotten the desired 0-0 were it not for one rash challenge.
09 March 2011
Liverpool at Braga 03.10.11
1pm ET, live in the US on GolTV
Round of 32:
Liverpool: 1-0 Sparta (h); 0-0 Sparta (a)
Braga: 2-0 Lech Poznan (h); 0-1 Lech Poznan (a)
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Braga: 0-2 Shakhtar (a); 2-0 Arsenal (h); 1-0 Partizan (a); 2-0 Partizan (h); 0-2 Shakhtar (h); 0-6 Arsenal (a) [Champions League]
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-1 United (h); 1-3 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sparta (h)
Braga: 2-1 Benfica (h); 0-0 Naval (a); 2-0 Lech Poznan (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Kuyt 2; Cole, Jovanovic, Lucas 1
Braga: Lima 5; Alan 2; Echiejlie, Paulo Cesar 1
Referee: Serge Gumienny (BEL)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel Johnson
Lucas Poulsen
Maxi Meireles Cole
Kuyt
We knew that Shelvey, Kelly, Aurelio, and Agger would definitely be out. The 21-man squad announced today confirms that the worries about Gerrard were correct, as the captain didn't travel.
via Liverpoolfc.tv:
Suarez is still ineligible, Kelly and Shelvey are still injured. Those three are on the trip for experience, the same reason Carroll traveled to Prague in the last round. Of those 21 players, four are keepers – Reina, Jones, Hansen, and Gulasci – only two of whom should be involved. Which means one of youngsters Flanagan and Mendy will make the bench.
The big question is about Andy Carroll's participation. He'll play some part, but will he start after Sunday's cameo or appear off the bench again? The official site was unsurprisingly coy, while an over-excited copy editor at the Liverpool Echo gave the same interview a headline of 'Andy Carroll set to start Liverpool FC Europa League clash vs Braga' before editing the article about an hour ago (the URL still gives it away). In Carroll's favor is the fact that – like following the first leg in Prague – Liverpool won't have another match for a week. If the big Geordie somehow starts, Kuyt would shift to the right with one of Maxi or Cole on the left. Another alternative is Ngog up top with Kuyt on the right, as in both legs against Sparta Prague.
Liverpool will have to deploy a makeshift defense again, especially at full-back. On the flanks will be Carra and Johnson or Johnson and Wilson. There are few other options. The back line did well after Aurelio went off against the Mancs, which is an argument for the above rather than Johnson-Carra-Skrtel-Wilson.
With Quim and Kaka (no, not that one) on the roster, Braga are a puerile writer's dream. I'll do my best to not beat that dead horse into the ground, but no promises.
Braga are currently sixth in the Portuguese Liga on 31 points. Porto's running away with the league, with double the points that Braga have, 11 ahead of second-placed Benfica. Those two have an incredible gap on the chasing pack, with Braga amidst a tightly-packed mid-table. The difference between third – Sporting Lisbon – and 11th – Beira-Mar – is the same as the difference between first and second.
Braga sold its top scorer in Europe, Matheus (among others) in the January window, but this is still the club that beat Arsenal at home in the CL group stage. They play a pressing and physical style, a 4-2-3-1 formation which can become 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3. Both goals against Arsenal were late and on quick counters (although, admittedly, Arsenal were down to 10 men at that point). All of this sounds vaguely similar to Benfica's tactics in the 2005-06 Champions League.
They've won three, lost three, and drawn once since the beginning of February. Braga's line-up in the last Europa League match against Lech was: Artur; Miguel Garcia, Rodriguez, Kaka, Silvio; Viana, Custodio; Alan, Mossoro, Barbosa; Lima. Last weekend saw a 2-1 victory over Benfica, but Alan, Custodio, and Silvio picked up knocks which make them doubts for Thursday's match. RAWK's Spyin' Kop – a question and answer with Braga fans – in an interesting read for more information about the club.
Without a league match until March 20, Liverpool have to use the Europa League to build on last Sunday's big win. Now into the round of 16, I expect Liverpool's side to be increasingly stronger, less reliant on youngsters and the B-team. Beating Sparta Prague was a struggle over two legs, failing to score for almost the entire 180 minutes. Yes, it's Europe, and yes, it's away from Anfield, but Liverpool can't play as cagily against more dangerous opposition.
Round of 32:
Liverpool: 1-0 Sparta (h); 0-0 Sparta (a)
Braga: 2-0 Lech Poznan (h); 0-1 Lech Poznan (a)
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Braga: 0-2 Shakhtar (a); 2-0 Arsenal (h); 1-0 Partizan (a); 2-0 Partizan (h); 0-2 Shakhtar (h); 0-6 Arsenal (a) [Champions League]
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-1 United (h); 1-3 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sparta (h)
Braga: 2-1 Benfica (h); 0-0 Naval (a); 2-0 Lech Poznan (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Kuyt 2; Cole, Jovanovic, Lucas 1
Braga: Lima 5; Alan 2; Echiejlie, Paulo Cesar 1
Referee: Serge Gumienny (BEL)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel Johnson
Lucas Poulsen
Maxi Meireles Cole
Kuyt
We knew that Shelvey, Kelly, Aurelio, and Agger would definitely be out. The 21-man squad announced today confirms that the worries about Gerrard were correct, as the captain didn't travel.
via Liverpoolfc.tv:
The travelling party is: Jones, Johnson, Meireles, Suarez, Carroll, Cole, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Kuyt, Lucas, Wilson, Carragher, Ngog, Reina, Spearing, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly, Skrtel, Hansen, Gulacsi, Flanagan, Mendy.
Suarez is still ineligible, Kelly and Shelvey are still injured. Those three are on the trip for experience, the same reason Carroll traveled to Prague in the last round. Of those 21 players, four are keepers – Reina, Jones, Hansen, and Gulasci – only two of whom should be involved. Which means one of youngsters Flanagan and Mendy will make the bench.
The big question is about Andy Carroll's participation. He'll play some part, but will he start after Sunday's cameo or appear off the bench again? The official site was unsurprisingly coy, while an over-excited copy editor at the Liverpool Echo gave the same interview a headline of 'Andy Carroll set to start Liverpool FC Europa League clash vs Braga' before editing the article about an hour ago (the URL still gives it away). In Carroll's favor is the fact that – like following the first leg in Prague – Liverpool won't have another match for a week. If the big Geordie somehow starts, Kuyt would shift to the right with one of Maxi or Cole on the left. Another alternative is Ngog up top with Kuyt on the right, as in both legs against Sparta Prague.
Liverpool will have to deploy a makeshift defense again, especially at full-back. On the flanks will be Carra and Johnson or Johnson and Wilson. There are few other options. The back line did well after Aurelio went off against the Mancs, which is an argument for the above rather than Johnson-Carra-Skrtel-Wilson.
With Quim and Kaka (no, not that one) on the roster, Braga are a puerile writer's dream. I'll do my best to not beat that dead horse into the ground, but no promises.
Braga are currently sixth in the Portuguese Liga on 31 points. Porto's running away with the league, with double the points that Braga have, 11 ahead of second-placed Benfica. Those two have an incredible gap on the chasing pack, with Braga amidst a tightly-packed mid-table. The difference between third – Sporting Lisbon – and 11th – Beira-Mar – is the same as the difference between first and second.
Braga sold its top scorer in Europe, Matheus (among others) in the January window, but this is still the club that beat Arsenal at home in the CL group stage. They play a pressing and physical style, a 4-2-3-1 formation which can become 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3. Both goals against Arsenal were late and on quick counters (although, admittedly, Arsenal were down to 10 men at that point). All of this sounds vaguely similar to Benfica's tactics in the 2005-06 Champions League.
They've won three, lost three, and drawn once since the beginning of February. Braga's line-up in the last Europa League match against Lech was: Artur; Miguel Garcia, Rodriguez, Kaka, Silvio; Viana, Custodio; Alan, Mossoro, Barbosa; Lima. Last weekend saw a 2-1 victory over Benfica, but Alan, Custodio, and Silvio picked up knocks which make them doubts for Thursday's match. RAWK's Spyin' Kop – a question and answer with Braga fans – in an interesting read for more information about the club.
Without a league match until March 20, Liverpool have to use the Europa League to build on last Sunday's big win. Now into the round of 16, I expect Liverpool's side to be increasingly stronger, less reliant on youngsters and the B-team. Beating Sparta Prague was a struggle over two legs, failing to score for almost the entire 180 minutes. Yes, it's Europe, and yes, it's away from Anfield, but Liverpool can't play as cagily against more dangerous opposition.
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