Liverpool will be looking for yet another one of those famous European nights as they take on Swiss opposition Basel on Tuesday, just a day after the 10 year anniversary of the illustrious Olympiakos night.
The five-time European champions go into the Group B game at Anfield knowing that only a victory will be good enough for them to progress, with a draw or loss condemning them to the Europa League or fourth spot, depending on results elsewhere.
Basel need a draw, at least, at Anfield to pip Liverpool to second place in group B after beating the English side on home turf back in October.
Form:
Liverpool have picked up just one point in four Champions League fixtures since opening with a narrow defeat of Ludogorets on Merseyside. During that run, they loss 1-0 in Switzerland in October against Tuesday's opposition as Brendan Rodgers' side put in a meek performance. Liverpool looked to have turned somewhat of a corner however, and are unbeaten in the last four matches, succumbing to a late equaliser away at Ludogorets last month before winning against Stoke and Leicester but then drawing against Sunderland in a drab encounter. The Reds are definitely lacking a cutting edge even with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana available, and will be relying on the return of Steven Gerrard to motivate them.
Basel, meanwhile, are in very good form going into the game. They won 4-0 at the weekend and have conceded just one goal in their last five games, scoring 14 goals along the way. Basel go into the match with high morale following back-to-back away wins over FC Zurich and Lucerne, which extended their lead at the top of the Swiss Super League to eight points. But, they only have six points after wins over Ludogorets and Liverpool at St Jakob-Park. They have lost their other two away trips in Europe so far this term.
Team News:
Strikers Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli are still out injured which leaves Liverpool desperately short up front with the fatigued Rickie Lambert the only real option in attack and Fabio Borini excluded from the squad in the last few weeks. Defenders Mamadou Sakho and Jon Flanagan are still recovering from their layoffs with comebacks pencilled in soon, and Suso too will sit out the game.
Ivorian midfielder Serey Die returns from suspension for Swiss Super League leaders Basel whilst Marco Streller is fit again after a back problem, but fellow striker Giovanni Sio has been sidelined by a knee injury.
Pre Match Thoughts:
Manager Brendan Rodgers: “We have to stay calm. We have shown in the last four games that we have the ability to do that. The defending is more compact and we are harder to beat. Hopefully we can get that little bit more luck in the final third to get the goals.”
He added: “It's a European night and we want to press the game, but we'll have to show patience, because Basel are a good side and they have shown that already over the last few years by beating big teams."
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure: “The game against Basel is made for Steven Gerrard, he is a man of great days. He makes a difference.”
Basel Manager Paulo Sousa: “If we can make it through, we will be delighted, that was the target for us in the first place, and we knew how difficult that would be, but we are just one game from making it a reality. I respect Brendan, and the job he has done for Swansea and Liverpool, but on Tuesday we will focus on getting what we need to qualify.”
Basel Dangerman:
Top scorer Shkelzen Gashi took his tally for the season to 12 goals in 17 games with a double on Saturday, while veteran striker Marco Streller, who scored the only goal of the match when these sides met in Switzerland, has also returned to action after a slipped disc ahead of the Anfield clash. Those two will be looking to cause some issues to a Liverpool defence who have conceded just once in their last three games.
Match Facts:
Liverpool tasted defeat against Swiss opposition for the first time in 10 matches when they lost to Basel (W6 D3).
The Reds were in a similar position in this competition in the 2004/2005 season in which they had to win to stand any chance of progression. After trailing 1-0 at half time and needing to win by two clear goals to go through, Steven Gerrard capped off a memorable comeback to win 3-1. Liverpool then went on to win the Champions League that season.
Basel have won their last three matches against English teams after doing the double against Chelsea in last season’s competition.
The Swiss' overall record against English teams is W5 D6 L9.