THE Braga borefest was Liverpool's 13th game in Europe this season. Unlucky for us. The Reds' Europa League performances have been shockingly dull, but why?

As tempting as it is, we can't just blame Roy Hodgson. Performances have been no better in the continent’s second-rate competition under Kenny Dalglish than they were under the deluded, blame-shifting, one-dimensional, stuck-in-the-past, black hole of negativity that was the former Neuchatel Xamax boss.

Dalglish's team selection for the Braga match drew criticism from many fans who were dismayed to see a starting eleven featuring Jay Spearing, Lucas and Christian Poulsen, a selection hardly conducive to flowing, attacking football. Lucas is certainly capable of producing a spark when utilised in the right areas, but against Braga attacking duties were handed to Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt. The pair barely linked in a dismal first half that gave the home fans little to worry about.

That said, Dalglish can hardly be blamed for the quality of the passing and the lack of movement that was evident all night until Andy Carroll entered the fray. With the footballing trio of Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Martin Kelly stripped from the backline due to injury, there was never likely to be much much creativity from the defence either, the usually attack-minded Glen Johnson aside.

And with Steven Gerrard crocked, and facing a fight to feature again this season, Carroll not fit enough to start and Luis Suarez ineligible, Dalglish's options were severely limited.

As has been demonstrated so often this season, Liverpool are only a couple of players short of being a top side. In fact the strongest eleven can compete with the best – see the double over Chelsea and last week's win over Manchester United, who to be fair were distinctly average. But equally, the Reds are also only a couple of players away from being an average side.

Take away some of the key components, like on Thursday, and the side looks disjointed, lacks direction and is bereft of ideas. Thursday's game just underlined what we already knew – the squad isn't strong enough and desperately needs strengthening if we are to challenge for the top four next season.

So while it's easy to point the finger at Dalglish for his selection, what were the realistic alternatives to those that heard the first whistle in the Estádio Municipal de Braga? David Ngog? Dani Pacheco? Maxi Rodriguez?

Ngog has failed to impress this season and his opportunities under Dalglish have been limited, suggesting his Anfield future is in doubt. Pacheco has proved he can cut it for the reserves but three managers in succession have been wary about handing him a first-team chance. There must be reasons behind that, be it attitude, strength or size.

As for Rodriguez, while he might have a decent terrace ditty to his name, he's somewhat of an enigma. He's certainly a capable footballer, but he has a tendency to disappear in games, lacks pace and at 30, doesn't represent a long-term option. He's certainly no winger.

As good a job as Dalglish has done since his long overdue return, he can't make silk purses out of sow's ears. Deadwood remains in the Liverpool squad but the Europa League's punishing schedule makes it impossible for the strongest line-up to be fielded game to game.

There's also the added factor that some players need to be displayed in the shop window. To find buyers for players like Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen, two more who appear to be on borrowed time, they need to play. If they're completely frozen out, the message is loud and clear – they're not trusted to do a job. Or worse, they're past it.

Squad strength aside, is there also a motivational issue in the Europa League? It's all too easy to put players on a pedestal and assume their astronomical wages coupled with the privilege of playing for Liverpool should result in a committed performance no matter who the opposition or what the competition.

But back in the real world, do the players perhaps think the Europa League is as much of a pain in the arse as many fans do? Isn't it entirely feasible that they will have watched Arsenal playing in the Nou Camp and Spurs taking on AC Milan with a tinge of sadness? After all it wasn't long ago that Liverpool were beating AC Milan and winning in Barcelona themselves.

As it is, the Reds have scored just once in their past five Europa League matches away from Anfield, labouring their way through the competition with better performances on home soil. If they go all the way in the competition, Liverpool will have clocked up 18 games – almost half the fixtures in a Premier League season and five more than when the UEFA Cup was won in Dortmund in 2001.

Winning it again represents Liverpool's only chance of ending a five-year trophy drought this season. It also looks like the most realistic route back into Europe next season with the only other entry likely to be via fifth place in the Premier League (explaining why is a blog post in itself). But do Liverpool need another Europa League campaign?

OK, missing out on Europe for the first time since 1999/2000 would reduce revenues and effect Liverpool's rating in the UEFA coefficient, meaning less favourable draws in the early rounds of the Europa and Champions League the next time they compete.

But can we really strengthen sufficiently in one summer to be able to challenge on all fronts? It would take hard work, a lot of money and a bit of luck for deals in and out to fall just how Liverpool want. And without the Champions League (is the Europa League really a lure for players?) is one window enough to get us to a situation where we can rival Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Spurs for squad strength?

It's a big ask. Probably too big an ask. So while it goes against the grain for a club that has the mantra that it “exists to win trophies” it could benefit the club not to be involved in next season's Europa League competiton.

With up to 18 games less, it would give the manager, which will surely be Dalglish, a greater chance of fielding his strongest XI in the Premier League week in and week out, and therefore boost the chance of reclaiming a top-four position – a must if we're to get back to where we want to be long term, challenging for number 19.

The Europa League can be enjoyed and it was under its previous straight knockout format (Barcelona at Anfield and Alaves in Dortmund are two of my highlights following Liverpool). But football has changed, just like the competition. Like the FA Cup, it's been devalued, and now it feels like a grind, and not just for Liverpool.

There’s too many games and for those that haven’t got the time, cash or inclination to follow their team to some far flung corners of the continent, even the TV coverage is second rate. Stan Collymore? Jim Rosenthal? You can barely hear them speak over the sound of the barrel being scraped.

The UEFA Cup did matter, but a bit like Liverpool minus key players like Suarez, Kelly, Agger and Gerrard, it’s lost its mojo. There's been too much tinkering and rule-making. It's also suffered, like the FA Cup, from standing shoulder to shoulder with a competition that in terms of revenue, exposure and prestige is the be all and end all. Parachuting in the third-placed teams from the group stages of the Champions League doesn't help, either. It all feels a bit false and a bit forced.

Liverpool exists to win trophies but football's changed so maybe the mantra should too. Perhaps now Liverpool should exist to win the right trophies?

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S.C. Braga 1 – 0 Liverpool

Anfield season ticket holder MARTIN SMITH gives his verdict on the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 clash.

“Disappointed – but I fancy us to do them at home”. That was the general feeling as the referee blew his whistle in Braga.

The lads had been average at best, barely getting out of first gear throughout long periods of a poor first half.

The build-up play wasn’t too bad – long ball, pass, move, pass, but the final ball was lacking any real threat. Not enough sparkle – far too flat.

Braga looked decent – they had several good runs going forward and one cracking shot from left-back Silvio that hit the bar - but they’ll look back and feel disappointed that they didn’t make the most of the home advantage.

A 1-0 scoreline going to Anfield isn’t enough and the Portugese team know that they will need to show a little bit more going forward if they are to get the vital away goal next Thursday.

It was almost like the script had been written before a ball had been kicked.

The record books may have suggested that we were one more game away from equalling our longest unbeaten run in Europe, but they also pointed out that we had only scored one goal away from home in Europe since the Europa League group stages kicked off in September.

With that said, you had a feeling it was going to be one of those nights in front of goal for the lads over in Braga.

It was certainly one of those nights. A frustrating one for the travelling support. A poor, mistimed tackle by Soto Kyrgiakos on Mossoro in the penalty area gave Braga the early advantage. Alan converted the spot kick, which Pepe Reina was unlucky not to have saved.

From then on, chances were few and far between. Dirk Kuyt played as a lone striker, but found himself out on the wing at times, and while support by Joe Cole and Raul Meireles in attack was available, at least in theory if not practice, the team were lacking that killer instinct in front of goal.

It wasn’t until our number 9 came on – or thanks to UEFA number 29 for tonight – that we finally looked like inking the scoresheet.

Andy Carroll’s movement was a threat, with his aerial ability causing problems to the Braga backline. A tidy flick on to Kuyt almost allowed the striker to add to his weekend hat trick, but the ball fizzled out and was picked up by opposition goalkeeper Artur.

It was the story of the night for the Reds. If there was one positive, it was the performance of Carroll, who showed that he has all the attributes to be a fantastic player for this club.

From what we have seen of the pair, his potential partnership with Suarez already has the hallmarks of being a successful front two and while we may not reap the benefits this season, there is no doubt that the duo can do very well leading the line next season.

The Reds certainly could have done with both men out there and at 100 per cent tonight.

The lack of spark up front was worrying, but with another 90 to go we can be confident of progressing to the next stages.

Chances are we will see a more attacking line-up at Anfield, and if that’s the case, then there’s no reason why we can’t put a name in the hat for the next round of the draw.

Anfield will surely coax more confidence, more spark and more creativity from the players next time around.

Well Red Magazine Man of the Match: Andy Carroll – was a threat from the minute he came on and showed some good movement, on and off the ball.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Johnson, Poulsen (Carroll 58), Spearing, Lucas, Cole, Meireles, Kuyt.

Subs not used: Gulacsi, Wilson, Flanagan, Pacheco, Maxi, Ngog

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THREE points was the expectation, not the hope – as it may have been under Roy Hodgson – of Liverpool fans as their team lined up for Saturday’s home game against Wigan.

A run of four consecutive wins and clean sheets had given the Anfield faithful a much needed shot of confidence and optimism that seemed so alien in contrast to the last four, murky and downright devastating years.

Ninety-odd minutes later and the very same fans were left with an echo of disappointment. Something they haven’t felt - bar the 2-1 loss to Blackpool - since before the beginning of Hodgson’s end.

The silver-lining of this greyish cloud, however, was probably more positive than most fans realised. In fact, in a perverse way, it was the disappointment that was most encouraging.

Under Hodgson, certainly in the last throes of his stop-start-stop-reverse reign, a 1-1 draw with a lower-table side, even at Anfield, wouldn’t have been a surprise, let alone a disappointment.

Liverpool fans came to expect below-par performances from their tepid side, along with their tepid football. They certainly didn’t tolerate these excuses for performances but they were expected.

Under Kenny Dalglish, however, expectations have been re-established, the football has improved and, most importantly, so have the results. All this has come at a pace that Usain Bolt could only match if he was driving a Bugatti Veyron.

Timely

As a consequence of ‘the Dalglish effect’ (not to gloss over the vital input of Steve Clarke) Saturday’s result seemed as big a disappointment as it would have felt at the peak of Rafa Benitez’s stewardship.

In other words; the feelings of disappointment, feelings that some fans over-egged on Twitter and phone-ins, is a testament to the way the team has been turned around.

Of course, Saturday’s result and performance was also a timely reminder for Liverpool fans, and the media, that there is still a lot of work to do before the good ship L.F.C. is finally back on course.

While Luis Suarez looked a class act and could have had one, if not two, goals the absence of a viable alternative to a main striker is all too apparent. Milan Jovanovic looked off the pace and David N’Gog has hardly featured recently.

This situation will undoubtedly improve when Andy Carroll comes back to fitness and he will also provide not only a different option, but also a different dimension and variety to the attack. Daniel Agger, with his composure and ball-carrying ability, was also missed as, inevitably, was Steven Gerrard.

The captain’s absence was compounded when Raul Meireles was forced off. For too long, Liverpool have been without a driving force when Gerrard is unavailable. In recent games, however, the Portuguese number four has shown he can do just that.

Unfortunately for the Reds yesterday, though, the importance of these two players was apparent when neither were on the pitch.

Quality

A new, natural, left-back is also an essential purchase (if Emiliano Insua is to leave). While Fabio Aurelio has quality, he is too prone to injury and, as well as he has played there, Glen Johnson is not a left back.

Coupled with the lack of natural wingers, Johnson’s cutting in on to his preferred foot leaves the side very narrow on the left side - not something that would suit Andy Carroll’s penchant for thumping home crosses.

Other useful additions would be a creative midfielder, in the mould of Charlie Adam or a more robust Alberto Aquilani, and a couple of wingers would improve the squad immeasurably.

This, however, is easier said than done. It’ll take more than a month of a new manager and the tail-end of one transfer window to fully restore Liverpool to a fully functioning unit that can consistently challenge at the top.

However, if John W Henry & Co continue to show the intent they displayed in January and if the King can justify a second coronation, then it will be easier done than anyone could have imagined nine months ago.

Follow Andrew on Twitter and read more from him on his blog, Half Time Oranges.

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