Soccer:Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been left out of the squad for tomorrow's Europa League last-16 first leg against Braga in Portugal but record signing Andy Carroll is set for his European debut.

Gerrard has been nursing a slight groin problem over the last week and remains on Merseyside to rest.

However, Carroll, a €40 million January transfer from Newcastle, has been officially included for the first time having made his Reds bow as a substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United.

The 22-year-old will continue his gradual introduction to the first team with a likely place on the bench tomorrow.

Manager Kenny Dalglish has defensive worries with both Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio out for a month with hamstring injuries while Daniel Agger is out with a calf problem.

Teenager Danny Wilson played out of position at left-back in the previous round against Sparta Prague and may be asked to continue, with Glen Johnson reverting to his more familiar right-sided role.

Young reserve team full-backs John Flanagan and Emmanuel Mendy have been included in the squad.

Luis Suarez (ineligible) and the injured Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey have also travelled with the team.

Liverpool team from:Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Wilson, Lucas, Poulsen, Kuyt, Meireles, Cole, Ngog, Jones, Gulacsi, Hansen, Kyrgiakos, Spearing, Rodriguez, Carroll, Pacheco, Flanagan, Mendya