Dalglish aiming to overturn Braga deficit

Dalglish was disappointed with conceding the penalty in Braga

Liverpool take on Portugese side Braga aiming to overturn the 1-0 deficit sustained last Thursday due in no small part to Sotirios Kyrgiakos’ clumsy challenge.

The reds inability to score last week means the threat of the dreaded away goal hangs over our heads.

If Braga score at Anfield, the reds will need to hit the back of the net three times to go through.

Dalglish took the time at the press conference to insist that our the players approach and mentality will be crucial if the reds aim to progress to the Quarter Finals.

“We can only deal with this game. We want to be playing at the highest level we possibly can. To do that we have to win matches, starting with the game tomorrow night.

“We’ve got to win by two goals to maintain our European status this year.

“We can’t think too far ahead. Every game for us is really important. That starts tomorrow night and continues until the end of the season.

“Where we get to after that will only be determined by how well we do. European football and this football club are synonymous. We’d love that to continue.

Dalglish expects more counter-attacking football from Braga, but warns them that last week’s result was all about how poor Liverpool were – and not how good the Portugese side were.

“I don’t think they were too offensive at home and I would expect Braga to be pretty much how they were in the first leg. That seems to be their style of play home or away.

“On the night they were probably just a bit better than us but we were very disappointed with the way we played.

“We’d like to think we can play a lot better than we did and if we do it’s up to Braga to step up to the plate and lift their game. If they don’t they could be in a bit of trouble.

“Everybody’s got a favourite but for me Braga have got a one-goal lead and we’ve got to win by two. It would have been better for us if it was 0-0, but then it might have been better for Braga if it had been 2-0 to them.

“The state of the tie won’t influence how we go about the game. We’ll approach the game as professionally and as determined as we would whatever the score was.

Amidst the continued speculation about the future of Pepe Reina, he will reach the milestone of 300 games in a Liverpool shirt tomorrow.

“In my opinion Pepe Reina is one of, if not the best, goalkeeper in the world. I know he doesn’t get in his national side, but it’s my opinion you’re asking for and that would be my shout.

“He has been fantastic for this football club and is a great asset to us, and that is reflected in that if Stevie or Carra are not playing, he is our captain.”

Kick off at Anfield tomorrow is at 8.05pm.