FC Braga 1 Liverpool 0:Liverpool failed in their attempts to equal a club record 14-match unbeaten run in Europe with a 1-0 defeat against Braga in their last-16, first-leg Europa League tie in Portugal. The location of the AXA Stadium is no stranger to displays of hard labour, having been carved into the face of the former Monte Castro quarry.
But Kenny Dalglish's side were so devoid of movement at times they appeared to be taking inspiration from the huge chunks of rock still visible at one end of the unique ground.
They lacked pace and creativity without injured captain Steven Gerrard and the ineligible livewire forward Luis Suarez, who was instrumental in terrorising Manchester United in Sunday's 3-1 victory.
Even a European debut for £35million record signing Andy Carroll after half-time could not turn things around after Brazilian Alan had converted a 17th-minute penalty.
Mossoro raced onto a through-ball to the right of the penalty area he was brought down by Sotirios Krygiakos' mis-timed tackle and the spot-kick was expertly slotted away by the Brazilian.
Left-back Silvio then almost doubled the lead with a thunderous 35-yard volley which beat Jose Reina but rattled back off the crossbar.
The visitors were crying out for some creativity and pace to be injected and to that end all seven substitutes were sent out to warm-up during the interval.
Ten minutes after the restart Carroll was sent on for Christian Poulsen and his arrival certainly livened things up, with Braga unable to handle his aerial power; Liverpool's problem was they were not proving him with decent enough crosses to threaten the hosts' goal.
When Meireles did whip one in from the right it was Dirk Kuyt who controlled it and volleyed over the crossbar.
That was to prove Liverpool's best chance and they must now fight back in the home leg next Thursday to keep their hopes of silverware this season alive.
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