Aldo: Carroll can be key

There is one name I'm desperate to see on the team sheet for Thursday night's Europa League game against Braga at Anfield and that's Andy Carroll, writes John Aldridge.

It's a massive match in the context of Liverpool's season and it's the perfect occasion to hand the big striker his first start.

There's no doubt Braga were intimidated by him when he came on in the first leg. He changed the game and forced Braga back.

He won everything in the air and they just couldn't deal with him. His power and strength was clear for all to see and they looked scared.

Their Brazilian defender Kaka was very lucky not to be sent off for the elbow he directed into Carroll's face.

No other player would have got up and played on if he had been smashed to the ground like that.

Kaka must have thought he had seen the last of him but Mr Indestructible came back for more. It was tremendous to see him just dust himself off and battle on. It showed you his mentality and his strength.

Kaka will be hoping Carroll starts on the bench because with him out there he will know he's in for a tough night.

Liverpool were poor in the first leg last week and it won't be easy at Anfield on Thursday but if the service into the box is right then I fancy us to get through.

If Carroll does start you can't just go route one. You have to build up as usual but in the final third it's vital we get some quality deliveries from wide areas. We need to hang them up for Carroll to attack. The crossing has to be spot on.

With Luis Suarez ineligible and Steven Gerrard injured you do worry where the goals are going to come from.

As well as Carroll, there will be responsibility on the shoulders of Joe Cole and Dirk Kuyt to rise to the occasion.

I'm expecting a very different game to the first leg.

The mentality we seem to have played with away in Europe in the last couple of years seems to have stuck with us. The days when we went to places like Barcelona and Real Madrid and defeated them seem a very long time ago.

If we're going to go all the way the mentality has to change away.

We were too cautious and we can't keep relying on turnings things around at Anfield.

On Thursday we have to be positive and look to put Braga under pressure from the start.

At the same time it's vital that we concentrate at the back.

If they score we will need three and that might be too big an ask.

If we keep a clean sheet then I believe we will get through.

The fans have got a key role to play in ensuring we make home advantage count. They have won so many Europeans games for Liverpool in the past as opponents are intimidated by the atmosphere. The players certainly need their help again.

If we can get to the quarter-finals then we've got every chance of making it to Dublin.

Source: Liverpool Echo

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.