Liverpool’s record signing Andy Carroll has been named on the bench and is set to make his Europa League debut for the Reds in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Braga.

CESC FABREGAS inspired Arsenal to a Champions League thrashing of Braga as the Gunners opened their Group H campaign with a 6-0 win at the Emirates Stadium and then warned of tougher battles to come.

Arsenal 6 Braga 0

Neil Lennon hopes Celtic will be able to pull off a transfer coup before the end of the month as he remained coy over suggestions he has targeted Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy.

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 2 Sporting Braga 1 (Braga win 4-2 on aggregate)

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.

Braga 3 Portsmouth 0

RAFAEL BENITEZ hailed a “wonderful goal” from new signing Andriy Voronin in France yesterday evening that put Liverpool within touching distance of the Champions League group stages.

Toulouse 0 Liverpool 1

Paris St Germain 2 Derry 0 (PSG win 2-0 on aggregate)