They are 17/20 to win, the draw is 5/2 and Basel are 7/2.
9 Dec 2014
7:20PM
What do Liverpool fans think of the team? Lovren is back in the side as well as Gerrard. They have a lot of options on the bench with Lallana, Markovic and Coutinho.
There are a couple of GAA players over for the game tonight. That is Armagh great Stephen McDonnell with former Kerry footballers Sean O’Sullivan and Ronan Hussey.
Liverpool’s main passers – Gerrard, Allen, Lucas and Henderson – just sprayed the ball intricately between them. Sterling slips the ball to Gerrard on the edge of the box but his shot is tame and held by the Basel keeper.
9 Dec 2014
7:48PM
Gerrard’s cross is laid off by Lambert to Henderson in the box but the midfielder’s shot flies kilometres over the bar.
9 Dec 2014
7:50PM
Liverpool have a free kick on the right wing but Gerrard’s cross is poor and can’t beat the first man.
9 Dec 2014
7:51PM
Streller almost gets a shot off for Basel but the ball clips his hand and Liverpool have a free.
9 Dec 2014
7:53PM
Liverpool have had the better of it so far but Basel have a free kick in a promising position about 35 yards out on the left wing.
9 Dec 2014
7:53PM
Lovren heads clear for Liverpool.
9 Dec 2014
7:55PM
Moreno whips in a cross from long-range that goes over the head of Lambert but a Basel defender puts it out for a corner.
9 Dec 2014
7:55PM
Liverpool work a short corner but Gerrard’s chipped cross is claimed by the goalkeeper.
Mignolet gets tested for the first time and he collects a bouncing cross comfortably. Liverpool fans will still be nervous whenever there is a cross though.
9 Dec 2014
7:58PM
Basel get the first chance, but Gashi fires over from inside the box on the left hand side.
9 Dec 2014
7:59PM
Liverpool immediately go down the other end and Sterling almost finds Gerrard twice in the box but Basel defend well.
9 Dec 2014
7:59PM
Sterling has found a couple of pockets of space high on the right wing and has looked dangerous so far.
9 Dec 2014
8:01PM
Gashi almost gets behind the Liverpool defence again but Skrtel sticks out a leg and nudges the ball to safety.
9 Dec 2014
8:05PM
The ball slips under a Basel defender’s leg and Sterling finds himself through on the right. Rather than take the shot on he opts to play in Gerrard behind him and the chance is wasted. Is it a rule that Liverpool have to play in Stevie G every time they are in the box?
9 Dec 2014
8:06PM
Basel have a corner after a shot from the lively Gashi is deflected wide.
9 Dec 2014
8:08PM
The ball bounces in the Liverpool box and Streller’s shot is just about smothered and cleared. That passage of play was reminiscent of Benzema’s second goal at Anfield for Real Madrid a few weeks back.
9 Dec 2014
8:10PM
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Basel
Frei rifles the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Mignolet’s goal from just outside the box after a lay-off from Zuffi. A lovely strike from the Swiss midfielder.
Liverpool try to equalise immediately but Sterling’s shot from the right hand side of the box is weak and easily held by Vaclik.
9 Dec 2014
8:16PM
Gonzalez almost gets a second for Basel but Lovren uses his body to escort the ball out for a corner.
9 Dec 2014
8:17PM
Basel have another corner after Lovren blocks a Gonzalez shot 12 yards out.
9 Dec 2014
8:18PM
The ball gets headed out to Xhaka and his clipped cross falls to Streller about 10 yards out. The striker goes for the flashy finish and his volley flies wide.
Liverpool have had 55% possession but no real chances. Not a good sign….
9 Dec 2014
8:22PM
Liverpool need two goals to progress. Their fans can’t take comfort in knowing that they needed three against Olympiakos.
9 Dec 2014
8:24PM
Basel almost score again after Zuffi’s cross is deflected into the path of Streller, whose powerful shot is blocked by Lovren in the six-yard box.
9 Dec 2014
8:25PM
Five minutes to half time now. How Liverpool would love a goal just before the break.
9 Dec 2014
8:27PM
Basel are very comfortable at the moment and are showing some nice touches in attack. They have been the more threatening side since the goal too.
9 Dec 2014
8:28PM
Gashi slides the ball under Mignolet and into the net but the flag is up. Replays show it is a good decision.
9 Dec 2014
8:29PM
The ball breaks to Lambert at the edge of the box and he has both Sterling and Gerrard to his right but he opts for the nearest Basel defender.
9 Dec 2014
8:30PM
Johnson got in behind the Basel defence on the right wing but his cross is too high for Lambert and goes out of play.
9 Dec 2014
8:31PM
HT Liverpool 0-1 Basel
That’s it for the first half here. Liverpool need a big improvement if they want to stay in the tournament. They have created almost nothing and Basel have looked very dangerous. It would be surprising if Lallana or Coutinho aren’t brought on now.
A lot of Liverpool fans probably agree with Craig Burley.
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9 Dec 2014
8:46PM
We are underway here and Markovic and Moreno are on for Lambert and Enrique. So only one of Coutinho or Lallana can come on.
9 Dec 2014
8:49PM
Four minutes into the half and nothing much to report yet. It was around this time when Liverpool scored their first against Olympiakos….
9 Dec 2014
8:53PM
There is a lot of hustle and bustle from Liverpool now but little in the way of end product. Markovic has had a few touches but his side are still awaiting their first proper chance.
9 Dec 2014
8:55PM
The lack of a striker was very noticeable just now as Markovic picked up the ball wide right but had nobody to aim at. He was forced to try a little dink to Henderson running into the box but that was easily dealt with.
9 Dec 2014
8:57PM
Some intricate play around the box with Markovic and Henderson working the ball well out to Sterling on the right wing. Not for the first time – the seventh or eight probably – the winger’s cross is blocked by the first man and cleared.
9 Dec 2014
8:58PM
Markovic knifes his way through the Basel defence before laying the ball off to Allen whose shot is block from outside the box. The ball bounces back to Markovic but is attempt is also blocked and cleared.
9 Dec 2014
8:59PM
Liverpool almost concede again after Xhaka motors past Moreno and shoots just wide from a central position 20 yards out.
9 Dec 2014
9:01PM
Markovic has just been handed a straight red card after poking Safari in the eye with a trailing arm. It looks to be a fairly absurd sending off.
9 Dec 2014
9:02PM
Andy Townsend ‘just doesn’t see that as a red card’.
Is there any way back for Liverpool now? They still have one sub left to use but they are struggling in the final third and it will be even tougher to break Basel down now without Markovic.
9 Dec 2014
9:06PM
Liverpool have a free kick on the right wing after Sterling is fouled. They work it short but Gerrard’s final ball is poor once again and his low cross is thumped away.
9 Dec 2014
9:07PM
Liverpool are now 14/1 to win.
9 Dec 2014
9:08PM
Liverpool have their best chance and it is a 30-yard piledriver from Martin Skrtel that goes just over.
9 Dec 2014
9:09PM
Lucas wriggles out of a tackle on the right wing and whips a ball into the box but there is nobody to get on the end of it and it’s headed clear.
9 Dec 2014
9:12PM
The Kop are demanding a penalty after Gerrard is upended by Vaclik in the box but the ref says the keeper got the ball and the replay proves him right.
9 Dec 2014
9:13PM
Gerrard’s crosses into the box have been poor tonight – and he just floated another one into the hands of Vaclik.
9 Dec 2014
9:14PM
Sterling slips the ball to Gerrard just outside the box but he doesn’t get a proper hold of the shot and it doesn’t threaten the goal.
9 Dec 2014
9:15PM
Coutinho is on for Lucas now. No more subs left for Liverpool, who have left £25m Lallana as an unused sub.
9 Dec 2014
9:16PM
Moreno gets on the ball high up on the left wing and whips another cross into the box that Vaclik claims. It is a perplexing strategy given they don’t have a recognised striker to get on the end of those balls.
9 Dec 2014
9:17PM
Moreno gets booked for bad foul on Gonzalez on the right wing. Basel have a free kick in a dangerous position.
9 Dec 2014
9:20PM
11 minutes left now and Liverpool need two goals to advance. They have a free kick right on the edge of the area after Sterling is fouled. Is this Stevie G’s time to shine?
9 Dec 2014
9:21PM
Liverpool 1-1 Basel
Gerrard curls a peach into the top corner! Can Liverpool get a winner?
9 Dec 2014
9:22PM
Basel have a free kick in a similar position to Gerrard’s goal. What a moment for Gerrard to produce that strike.
As it happened: Liverpool vs Basel, Champions League
LIVERPOOL HOST BASEL in the Champions League tonight knowing anything less than a win will see them eliminated.
Can they get the job done?
Hello and welcome to TheScore.ie’s minute-by-minute coverage of Liverpool’s must-win Champions League clash with Basel at Anfield tonight.
The home side have named their team and Steven Gerrard is back in the starting XI.
And here is the Basel team.
Liverpool fans will be hoping the game follows a similar pattern to this one from ten years ago.
Is this a make-or-break game for Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool? Some people think so.
Also, here are all scenarios that would see teams qualify for the last 16.
Liverpool are strong enough favourites tonight.
They are 17/20 to win, the draw is 5/2 and Basel are 7/2.
What do Liverpool fans think of the team? Lovren is back in the side as well as Gerrard. They have a lot of options on the bench with Lallana, Markovic and Coutinho.
Which Liverpool team is better, tonight’s or the one against Olympiakos ten years ago?
There are a couple of GAA players over for the game tonight. That is Armagh great Stephen McDonnell with former Kerry footballers Sean O’Sullivan and Ronan Hussey.
This was pretty cool. Looks like a great atmosphere at Anfield.
We are underway here!
Liverpool’s main passers – Gerrard, Allen, Lucas and Henderson – just sprayed the ball intricately between them. Sterling slips the ball to Gerrard on the edge of the box but his shot is tame and held by the Basel keeper.
Gerrard’s cross is laid off by Lambert to Henderson in the box but the midfielder’s shot flies kilometres over the bar.
Liverpool have a free kick on the right wing but Gerrard’s cross is poor and can’t beat the first man.
Streller almost gets a shot off for Basel but the ball clips his hand and Liverpool have a free.
Liverpool have had the better of it so far but Basel have a free kick in a promising position about 35 yards out on the left wing.
Lovren heads clear for Liverpool.
Moreno whips in a cross from long-range that goes over the head of Lambert but a Basel defender puts it out for a corner.
Liverpool work a short corner but Gerrard’s chipped cross is claimed by the goalkeeper.
It sounds pretty loud on tv but I’ll take Matt Dickinson’s word for it.
Mignolet gets tested for the first time and he collects a bouncing cross comfortably. Liverpool fans will still be nervous whenever there is a cross though.
Basel get the first chance, but Gashi fires over from inside the box on the left hand side.
Liverpool immediately go down the other end and Sterling almost finds Gerrard twice in the box but Basel defend well.
Sterling has found a couple of pockets of space high on the right wing and has looked dangerous so far.
Gashi almost gets behind the Liverpool defence again but Skrtel sticks out a leg and nudges the ball to safety.
The ball slips under a Basel defender’s leg and Sterling finds himself through on the right. Rather than take the shot on he opts to play in Gerrard behind him and the chance is wasted. Is it a rule that Liverpool have to play in Stevie G every time they are in the box?
Basel have a corner after a shot from the lively Gashi is deflected wide.
The ball bounces in the Liverpool box and Streller’s shot is just about smothered and cleared. That passage of play was reminiscent of Benzema’s second goal at Anfield for Real Madrid a few weeks back.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Basel
Frei rifles the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Mignolet’s goal from just outside the box after a lay-off from Zuffi. A lovely strike from the Swiss midfielder.
Here is that nice strike from Frei.
Liverpool try to equalise immediately but Sterling’s shot from the right hand side of the box is weak and easily held by Vaclik.
Gonzalez almost gets a second for Basel but Lovren uses his body to escort the ball out for a corner.
Basel have another corner after Lovren blocks a Gonzalez shot 12 yards out.
The ball gets headed out to Xhaka and his clipped cross falls to Streller about 10 yards out. The striker goes for the flashy finish and his volley flies wide.
Surprising how lifeless Liverpool have been since conceding. You would expect Rodgers to spring Lallana or Coutinho pretty soon if this continues.
Liverpool have had 55% possession but no real chances. Not a good sign….
Liverpool need two goals to progress. Their fans can’t take comfort in knowing that they needed three against Olympiakos.
Basel almost score again after Zuffi’s cross is deflected into the path of Streller, whose powerful shot is blocked by Lovren in the six-yard box.
Five minutes to half time now. How Liverpool would love a goal just before the break.
Basel are very comfortable at the moment and are showing some nice touches in attack. They have been the more threatening side since the goal too.
Gashi slides the ball under Mignolet and into the net but the flag is up. Replays show it is a good decision.
The ball breaks to Lambert at the edge of the box and he has both Sterling and Gerrard to his right but he opts for the nearest Basel defender.
Johnson got in behind the Basel defence on the right wing but his cross is too high for Lambert and goes out of play.
HT Liverpool 0-1 Basel
That’s it for the first half here. Liverpool need a big improvement if they want to stay in the tournament. They have created almost nothing and Basel have looked very dangerous. It would be surprising if Lallana or Coutinho aren’t brought on now.
Ronnie Whelan doesn’t like what he saw anyway.
This seems to be a fairly pertinent question.
A lot of Liverpool fans probably agree with Craig Burley.
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We couldn't find this Tweet
We are underway here and Markovic and Moreno are on for Lambert and Enrique. So only one of Coutinho or Lallana can come on.
Four minutes into the half and nothing much to report yet. It was around this time when Liverpool scored their first against Olympiakos….
There is a lot of hustle and bustle from Liverpool now but little in the way of end product. Markovic has had a few touches but his side are still awaiting their first proper chance.
The lack of a striker was very noticeable just now as Markovic picked up the ball wide right but had nobody to aim at. He was forced to try a little dink to Henderson running into the box but that was easily dealt with.
Some intricate play around the box with Markovic and Henderson working the ball well out to Sterling on the right wing. Not for the first time – the seventh or eight probably – the winger’s cross is blocked by the first man and cleared.
Markovic knifes his way through the Basel defence before laying the ball off to Allen whose shot is block from outside the box. The ball bounces back to Markovic but is attempt is also blocked and cleared.
Liverpool almost concede again after Xhaka motors past Moreno and shoots just wide from a central position 20 yards out.
Markovic has just been handed a straight red card after poking Safari in the eye with a trailing arm. It looks to be a fairly absurd sending off.
Andy Townsend ‘just doesn’t see that as a red card’.
Is this a sending off?
Is there any way back for Liverpool now? They still have one sub left to use but they are struggling in the final third and it will be even tougher to break Basel down now without Markovic.
Liverpool have a free kick on the right wing after Sterling is fouled. They work it short but Gerrard’s final ball is poor once again and his low cross is thumped away.
Liverpool are now 14/1 to win.
Liverpool have their best chance and it is a 30-yard piledriver from Martin Skrtel that goes just over.
Lucas wriggles out of a tackle on the right wing and whips a ball into the box but there is nobody to get on the end of it and it’s headed clear.
The Kop are demanding a penalty after Gerrard is upended by Vaclik in the box but the ref says the keeper got the ball and the replay proves him right.
Gerrard’s crosses into the box have been poor tonight – and he just floated another one into the hands of Vaclik.
Sterling slips the ball to Gerrard just outside the box but he doesn’t get a proper hold of the shot and it doesn’t threaten the goal.
Coutinho is on for Lucas now. No more subs left for Liverpool, who have left £25m Lallana as an unused sub.
Moreno gets on the ball high up on the left wing and whips another cross into the box that Vaclik claims. It is a perplexing strategy given they don’t have a recognised striker to get on the end of those balls.
Moreno gets booked for bad foul on Gonzalez on the right wing. Basel have a free kick in a dangerous position.
11 minutes left now and Liverpool need two goals to advance. They have a free kick right on the edge of the area after Sterling is fouled. Is this Stevie G’s time to shine?
Liverpool 1-1 Basel
Gerrard curls a peach into the top corner! Can Liverpool get a winner?
Basel have a free kick in a similar position to Gerrard’s goal. What a moment for Gerrard to produce that strike.
Here is the equaliser. Is it too late?
Liverpool have a corner now after Sterling’s cross is deflected wide.
Gerrard’s delivery goes straight out for a goal kick.
Zuffi takes a shot from outside the box that Mignolet just about claws away.
Liverpool come within an inch of taking the lead after Henderson’s header ricochets off Gashi and almost crosses the line.
Three minutes to go now and strangely, Walter Samuel is on for Basel. Who knew he was still knocking around?
Liverpool have another corner after Sterling is almost played in by Gerrard but Schar makes a great tackle to deny the winger.
Liverpool have another corner after Henderson’s cross is blocked.
The ball breaks to Gerrard on the edge of the box but his volley flies into the stand.
Four minutes added on now.
Liverpool pressing but Basel have the ball after a poor pass from Gerrard.
Sterling runs free on the left wing and his low cross is flicked just wide by Skrtel. Two minutes left now.
Mignolet launches a ball long but it goes out for a throw in. That looks about it.
Liverpool 1-1 Basel
Moreno puts Sterling into a great position in the box but the winger’s cross/shot is weak and Vaclik claims easily. And with that, Liverpool are out.
Thanks for joining us for our Champions League liveblog tonight. Check out all our post-match coverage in the next few minutes.
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