Liverpool are out of the Europa League as they fail to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit as Braga hold them to a goalless draw at Anfield.
Striker Andy Carroll made his first start for the club since signing from Newcastle and carried his side's greatest threat - twice heading wide.
But the Reds struggled for a breakthrough. Invention and inspiration were missing for the Merseysiders and the man who usually provides it, captain Steven Gerrard, had to watch agonisingly from the stands as he recovers from a groin injury.
The prospect of failing to qualify for European competition next season is now also a stark reality for Liverpool.
-----
Ten-man Manchester City were knocked out of the Europa League despite earning a 1-0 second-leg win over Dynamo Kiev.
City dominated the first half but Mario Balotelli scooped over from three yards and missed with a header from 12 yards. Striker Balotelli was then sent off for a foul on Goran Popov before the break, giving City a tough task to overcome their two-goal first-leg deficit.
Aleksandar Kolarov fired in low from 20 yards before halftime to give Manchester City hope but failed to trouble Kiev in the second half.
Manchester City's only realistic hopes of winning their first piece of major silverware since 1976 now rest with the FA Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment