Alan makes it advantage Braga

Alan's first-half spot kick earned Braga their third British scalp of the season and left Liverpool with it all to do in the Anfield return.

A penalty from Alan enabled SC Braga to end Liverpool FC's unbeaten UEFA Europa League record this season, ensuring the Portuguese club a narrow lead when the round of 16 tie concludes next week.

Alan punished Sotiris Kyrgiakos's trip on Mossoró after 18 minutes of an encounter which the hosts controlled before the break. Though Liverpool perked up in the second half, particularly after the introduction of club-record signing Andy Carroll, they seldom looked like scoring what would have been only their second away goal in the competition proper this term.

Following a quiet opening, any designs Liverpool had of a fourth successive European clean sheet evaporated when Mossoró's sharp turn drew a foul from Kyrgiakos and Alan tucked away Braga's 100th goal in UEFA competition.

Though that partially stirred Liverpool into action, the Reds' response remained muted. Without the injured Steven Gerrard and the ineligible Luis Suárez, Kenny Dalglish's side were struggling to recapture the fluency which characterised their weekend victory against Manchester United FC.

Braga, meanwhile, were asking all the questions in attack and but for the woodwork would have doubled their lead before the break, Sílvio rattling the crossbar with a left-footed strike from long range. Liverpool's response was limited to a tame header from Raul Meireles which Artur fielded comfortably.

The early stages of the second period brought little change for the visitors, prompting the introduction of Carroll for his European debut in Liverpool red. The burly striker's appearance almost paid immediate dividends as his glancing header set up Dirk Kuyt, who was thwarted by the sliding Artur, while moments later the €40.25m January acquisition had an effort deflected wide.

Suddenly it was the English team threatening, with Kuyt chesting down Meireles's pass on the edge of the area, spinning and forcing Artur into a fingertip save. Despite late pressure, Braga held firm, setting up an intriguing return in seven days' time.

Source: UEFA.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.