Hull’s first Europa League campaign ended in disappointment at the play-off stage after a vital away goal for Lokeren saw the Belgian side through at the KC Stadium last night — despite Ireland’s Robbie Brady’s best efforts.

Celtic could be handed a sensational Champions League reprieve after Uefa launched an investigation into the eligibility of one of Legia Warsaw’s players during their 6-1 aggregate win over the Scottish champions.

UEFA’s disciplinary panel has taken action against three clubs following racist incidents during the qualifying rounds for this season’s Champions League.

St Patrick's will face either Celtic or KR Reykjavik in the Champions League third qualifying round if they come through their second-round tie against Legia Warsaw.

St Patrick’s Athletic fans face a trip to Poland as they were drawn against Legia Warsaw in the Second Qualifying round of the Champions League today.

FIFA’s former head of security Chris Eaton is not aware of any “credible evidence” of match-fixing in the English domestic game but warned the national authorities to remain vigilant against the threat.

Debrecen goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic has strongly denied trying to influence a Champions League match against Liverpool in 2009 - just hours after his club confirmed the clash was part of a match-fixing investigation.

Uefa has been accused of sweeping the issue of match-fixing under the carpet for the best part of a decade after one of Britain’s foremost professional gamblers revealed he contacted European football’s governing body as long ago as 2005 to warn of the problem.

Liverpool today said they have had no contact from Europol or any other body in connection with match-fixing allegations surrounding their 2009 Champions League match against Debrecen.

A host of missed late chances on a frustrating night for Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium leaves Ekranas holding a distinct advantage ahead of the second leg in Lithuania next week.

ASTON VILLA caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald hailed the impact of his young guns on a night when they kept their Europa League hopes alive.

HARRY REDKNAPP was yesterday taking nothing for granted after Tottenham were handed the easiest possible route to the Champions League proper.

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon put up a brave face despite his side crashing out of the Champions League last night following a 4-2 aggregate defeat by Sporting Braga.

CELTIC gave themselves a mountain to climb bigger than the rockface overlooking AXA Stadium after crashing to Braga in last night’s Champions League third qualifying round first leg.

BOHEMIANS will have every reason to hope that they can advance to the third qualifying round of the Champions League after a second-half goal from Killian Brennan gave them a narrow victory over Welsh side TNS in a tense second-round, first-leg tie at Dalymount Park last night.

BOHEMIANS have been drawn against Welsh side TNS (now The New Saints, formerly Total Network Solutions) in the Champions League second round qualifying round.

Bohemians have been drawn against TNS of Wales in the Champions League second qualifying round.

LIONEL MESSI’S sensational free-kick secured a 2-1 victory for Barcelona at Dynamo Kiev as the European champions advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Liverpool 1 Fiorentina 2

Fernando Torres returned to full training with Liverpool today and is in line for a comeback at Blackburn on Saturday.

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes yesterday’s victory over Everton in the 212th Merseyside derby could prove to be a turning point in Liverpool’s troubled season.

Everton 0 Liverpool 2

Steven Gerrard has demanded a united front as Liverpool seek the top-four finish required to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has confirmed Liverpool will prioritise their bid to make a swift return to the Champions League over a tilt for Europa League glory.

Liverpool could offset the multi-million euro impact of their Champions League exit with an extended run in the Europa League.

Liverpool tried desperately last night to put a brave face on their first Champions League exit at the group stages for six years.

LIVERPOOL crashed out of the Champions League after a bitterly disappointing victory in the Hungarian capital last night. They needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but events in Florence ended those dreams with Fiorentina achieving the victory they needed to qualify.

Debrecen 0 Liverpool 1

Liverpool have Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio back from injury and in their starting line-up at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium for a Champions League match they must win to have any chance of staying in the competition beyond the group stages.

Liverpool winger Ryan Babel plans winter talks with Rafael Benitez – and is vowing to leave unless he plays more games.

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists Liverpool can amaze Europe again and reach the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

Dutch forward Ryan Babel has been ruled out of Liverpool’s Champions League Group E clash with Debrecen in Hungary tomorrow after twisting his ankle in the weekend draw with Manchester City.

Fernando Torres stayed behind today, as expected, as Liverpool flew out to Hungary for their Champions League clash with Debrecen.

Liverpool set off today for their make-or-break Champions League showdown in Budapest with skipper Steven Gerrard insisting that they can still salvage their season.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp has questioned Rafael Benitez’s management and claims that he manipulates the club’s fans.

SO, Alex Ferguson is right after all. The Manchester United manager confidently predicted during the international break that the title race will be a two-horse affair and after a weekend of contrasting fortunes for the runners and riders, his forecast appears spot on.

Manchester City goalscorer Stephen Ireland admitted his side felt they had been “robbed” after Liverpool snatched a 2-2 draw in their tense Premier League clash at Anfield.

ITALIAN midfielder Alberto Aquilani may have to be patient for a little longer before getting his first start for Liverpool since his £20million summer move from Roma.

LIVERPOOL will play a waiting game with the fitness of a string of top stars, including Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, as they prepare for Monday’s home clash with Birmingham.

Rafael Benitez is not giving up on Liverpool's bid to reach the Champions League knock-out stages and believes another "miracle" can happen.

RANGERS’ Champions League hopes were left hanging in the balance when a late equaliser from Unirea Urziceni denied them a crucial first victory in the tournament this season.

LIVERPOOL’S hearts were broken by a cruel last-minute equaliser that has all but ended their Champions League dreams for a traumatic season.

Lyon 1 Liverpool 1

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is facing up to the worst injury crisis of his five years at the Reds’ helm ahead of Sunday’s visit of champions Manchester United.