Liverpool dumped out of the Champions League by Basel

Even Steven Gerrard couldn't drag Liverpool through

Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League after drawing with Basel at Anfield. Alex Johnson reviews the disappointing evening at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers' side needed to beat the Swiss champions to progress from Group B behind the group winners Real Madrid. The 1-1 draw at Anfield ensured that Basel advance to the last-16 phase and condemned Liverpool to play in the Europa League.

The first opening of the game fell to Basel as Luca Zuffi played Shkelzen Gashi into a good position on the edge of the box, but he fired disappointingly wide of the target.

Basel looked a threat whenever they came forward during the first half and Liverpool appeared unconvincing at the back. There was an air of nervousness around Anfield whenever the hosts attacked, which was proved justified when Basel took the lead on 25 minutes.

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The visitors passed the ball around brightly just outside the Liverpool box, before Fabian Frei played a neat-one two with Zuffi and drilled a shot that flew across Simon Mignolet and buried itself into the bottom corner of the net.

Raheem Sterling stung the palms of the Basel keeper moments later before Basel had several good chances to double their lead before the break. Firstly Derlis Gonzalez was sent clear into the box and Liverpool were thankful to Jose Enrique for getting in a last-ditch tackle to deny him.

Liverpool's defensive fragility was then exposed again when they failed to properly clear a corner and it was crossed back in towards the far post, where Marco Streller was all alone in acres of space. The striker decided to try an awkward volley rather than go with his head and he put the ball wide from close range.

At half-time Rodgers made two changes and Rickie Lambert and Jose Enrique were replaced by Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno. Markovic made a good start to the second half but his appearance was short-lived as the substitute was shown a straight red card on the hour mark. Markovic pushed his arm out to hold off Behrang Safari and caught him in the face, which prompted the Basel man to drop to the ground theatrically and the referee showed a harsh red.

Liverpool responded well to going down to 10 men, but in reality struggled to create any real openings. Martin Skrtel did come close for them as he smashed a 30-yard effort that flew narrowly wide of the target.

Just as though it looked like time was running out for a Liverpool side short of ideas, up stepped captain marvel Steven Gerrard. He gave them a lifeline with a fantastic free kick that curled into the top corner of the net and brought Anfield to life with 10 minutes remaining.

Both teams had chances to win the game in a frantic final period. Zuffi tested Mignolet with a snap-shot before Jordan Henderson came so close to putting Liverpool in front. His header deflected off two defenders and looked to wrong-foot Tomas Vaclik, but the Basel keeper just managed to grab the ball on the goal-line.

In injury time Basel almost got a second when Gashi was inches away from connecting to a cross before Skrtel diverted a shot wide from Sterling's cross. Finally, Henderson drilled a 25-yard shot that brought a great diving save out of Vaclik.

In the end Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League despite their best efforts and they slip into the Europa League, while the pressure continues to mount on Rodgers.