SO, after the elbow that almost rearranged Andy Carroll’s features comes the slap in the face for Liverpool.

Having waited more than 25 years to take charge of Liverpool in Europe, Kenny Dalglish’s one remaining challenge this season will be to ensure he does not face another wait for a crack at the Continent.

This frustrating home goalless draw against Braga was simply nowhere near good enough, as last week’s 1-0 defeat in Portugal ultimately cost the Anfield outfit their chance of a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

It also ended hopes of silverware this season and closed an avenue for an immediate return to Europe. Now qualification rests on a late charge for fifth place in the Premier League or an unlikely favour from Manchester City.

With Luis Suarez ineligible and Steven Gerrard injured, the concern for Liverpool was where the goals were going to come from to overturn Alan’s penalty in Portugal.

So it proved. Despite £35million man Carroll being handed a first start – and being asked to last the full 90 minutes – Liverpool finished their Europa League campaign in the manner in which much of it had been played. A whimper.

Certainly, the competition has been a world away from the glamorous Champions League the Anfield team have regarded as home the previous six years.

Not once have Liverpool looked at ease in such environs. Not once have Liverpool convinced they were ever giving the tournament 100% of their focus.

And after some dismal, dire evenings – think Napoli away, Sparta Prague away, FC Utrecht anywhere – they have deservedly been put out of their misery.

Gerrard’s thrilling 14-minute hat-trick at home to Napoli aside, what is there to remember from this 14-game European run?

Up in arms at the assault on Carroll by Braga centre-back Kaka in Portugal, Liverpool were guilty of hitting the striker far too often last night, launching high ball after high ball.