Reds revival to continue in Portugal?

Liverpool will be looking to continue their resurgence under Kenny Dalglish when they face Braga in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday.

Dalglish’s side, who are unbeaten in the competition so far, head to Portugal on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over English Premier League leaders Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

They will have to make do without influential captain Steven Gerrard, however, who has not travelled with the squad after suffering a recurrence of the groin injury that kept him out of both legs of Liverpool’s round-of-32 triumph over Sparta Prague.

New striker Luis Suarez is also unavailable, with the Uruguayan cup tied having represented former club Ajax in the Champions League this season.

On a positive note, 35 million-pound signing Andy Carroll could be set for another cameo from the bench, with the former Newcastle forward unlikely to start as he battles back to full fitness after a groin complaint.

Liverpool will have to be at their best to keep their unbeaten record intact as Braga have won five of their six home games in Europe this season, including a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League.

Although Domingos Paciencia’s side have struggled for form recently domestically – sitting in sixth spot in Liga Sagres – they will come into the game buoyed by a 2-1 victory over reigning league champions Benfica on Sunday.