Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after being held to a draw by Basel at Anfield.
Fabian Frei gave the visitors the lead during the first half with a strike from the edge of the area, and things were made even more difficult for the Reds as substitute Lazar Markovic was sent-off after the break.
Steven Gerrard curled in a free-kick late on, but Brendan Rodgers’ side could not find the winning goal they required to reach the knockout stages.
More to follow…
Brendan Rodgers has revealed that the Italy international is struggling to shake off a groin injury for the crucial Champions League clash while Daniel Sturridge is also still out
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Mario Balotelli is likely to miss his side’s crucial Champions League clash with Basel on Tuesday due to injury.
The Reds, who have just four points from five games, host the Swiss side on Tuesday in their final Group B fixture, needing to take all three points if they are to progress with leaders Real Madrid into the next round.
Balotelli has not featured since the 2-1 home loss to Chelsea in November after picking up a groin injury while on international duty and Rodgers has conceded that the striker is set to miss out once again.
He told reporters: “I very much doubt Balotelli is fit to play. We have goals in the squad. I believe we have enough talent in the group to get the goals we need to win.
“We would have taken this scenario when the draw was made. We knew the last two games would be key and that is the case. It’s going to be a great night and it’s up to us do what we need to do.”
Rickie Lambert remains the club’s most senior striker ahead of the clash but, with just two goals in 17 appearances, Rodgers admits he has considered playing academy graduates.
He continued: “It’s something we’ve looked at. I very much doubt any of the players that weren’t available at the weekend will be ready.
“I feel we have goals in the squad but it’s certainly something I’ve thought about in the last couple of days. Some of our young players have been doing very well.
“We’ll take the time to assess that. I believe we have enough talent within the group to get the win.”
The Swiss titleholders will progress to the last 16 of the Champions League if they avoid defeat on Merseyside but the Reds will go through with a win
Paulo Sousa is hoping that he and his players can “write another fantastic page in the history of Basel” by beating Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Swiss titleholders only need a draw to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League but Liverpool know that a victory would take them through.
Sousa is well aware that the game could go either way but he belives Basel merit a place in the knockout stage.
“Going through means myself, the boys and my staff will write another fantastic page in the story of Basel,” the former Portugal international told reporters on the eve of the game on Merseyside.
“And this is something we want – achievement after achievement. That is the dream.
“It is something we are working for, it is something that we deserve.”
Basel go into their crucial Champons League clash buoyed by a 3-0 win at Lucerna on Saturday, while Liverpool are coming off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland.