Portuguese outfit Sporting Braga have produced a 1-0 result over Liverpool at Estadio AXA tonight. Alan Osório's 18th minute penalty was the difference between the sides in an otherwise mediocre clash with provided few clear-cut chances.
In Jamie Carragher's 138th appearance in Europe, a new British record, Liverpool were the more dangerous team in the second half but they could not find the back of the net and will have to try and overcome Domingos Paciência's men in the return bout in a week's time.
Uefa Europa League - Round of 16 first legSporting Braga (POR): 1 (Alan Osório (p) 18') Liverpool (ENG): 0
Venue: Estadio AXA, Braga - Portugal Crowd: 12,991 Referee: Serge Gumienny (BEL) Yellow cards:BRA - Claudio Kaká 24' LIV - Christian Poulsen 33'
Neither side were doing any damage early as both goalkeeper had a simple start to proceedings until the 17th minute when Reds defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos brought down Mossoro in the area with referee ??? pointing straight to the spot. GOAL The dreadlocked Brazilian Alan Osório stepped up to the spot and hammered it past Pepe Reina's right hand to notch up Braga' 100th goal in European competition.
Liverpool were playing a patient type of game and it almost went against them when Braga's Sílvio crashed a 30-yard volley into the crossbar after having Reina well-beaten in the 35th minute which was the last chance of any note in the opening 45 minutes.
Liverpool were more positive in the beginning of the second term with an early half-chance coming from the head of Kyrgiakos after an angled Raul Meireles free-kick.
Kenny Dalglish then entered Andy Carroll into the fray just before the hour-mark and he made an immediate impact as the Reds were looking far more dangerous after his arrival.
Carroll's 63rd minute shot was deflected over the bar before Meireles picked out Dirk Kuyt who controlled with his chest before seeing his shot tipped over by Artur.
It seemed like the visitors would certainly grab a leveler until the home side started to again control proceedings with the Braga fans getting their voice back as the minutes ticked over.
The Reds were desperate to nick an away goal but were unable to pierce a strong Braga defence and will have to try and wrestle back control in the return leg at Anfield next week.
Starting Line-Ups
Braga Artur Guilherme (gk) - Miguel Angelo Garcia, Claudio Kaká, Alberto Rodríguez, Sílvio Manuel - Hugo Miguel Viana, Mossoro (Paulão 68'), Leandro Salino - Alan Osório, Paulo César Rocha (Barbosa 90+4'), Rodrigo Lima (Zé Meyong 77')
Subs - Cristiano Figueiredo (gk), Paulão (68'), Albert Zé Meyong (77'), Hélder Jorge Barbosa (90+4'), Aníbal Araújo, Coelho Dani, Peterson Joseph
Liverpool Pepe Reina (gk) - Jamie Carragher, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson - Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen (Carroll 57'), Raul Meireles, Lucas, Jay Spearing - Dirk Kuyt
Subs - Péter Gulácsi (gk), Andy Carroll (57'), John Flanagan, Danny Wilson, Maxi Rodríguez, David Ngog, Dani Pacheco
