Source: PA
Dalglish desperate to maintain proud record
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is well aware the club's proudly-held European status could hinge on their result against Braga on Thursday night.
The FA Cup semi-final draw was not kind to the Reds' hopes of retaining an interest in continental competition beyond this season. An all-Manchester semi-final means that unless either United or City finish outside the top four, the European place allocated to the FA Cup winners will go to either Stoke or Bolton.
That leaves fifth place in the Barclays Premier League as the remaining qualification spot - unless Liverpool can win the Europa League and thereby enter next season's competition as defending champions.
With fifth-placed Tottenham six points ahead with a match in hand that may be the most likely scenario for Liverpool, although Dalglish will not give up on catching Spurs in their remaining nine league matches until it is mathematically impossible to do so.
Overcoming a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their last 16 tie is well within their capabilities as Braga did not suggest a week ago that there was anything to fear from them at Anfield.
"We can only deal with this game. We can't think too far ahead," said the Scot. "We've got to win by two goals to maintain our European status this year. European football and this football club are synonymous. We'd love that to continue."
