Opta Big Match Stats: Liverpool to leave it all too late

Jordan Henderson is outscoring every Liverpool striker this term

The Opta trends indicate that Liverpool will score the final goal against FC Basel, yet it might not be enough...

Liverpool v FC Basel
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Liverpool 1.814/5, FC Basel 5.04/1, The Draw 3.953/1

Liverpool have never defeated FC Basel in European competition (D2 L1)

There is no worse team for Liverpool to be facing in a European decider than FC Basel. Well, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain would be more fiendish opponents of course, but very few clubs possess FC Basel's talent for knocking out Premier League participants. They progressed at Liverpool's expense when they were previously drawn together in 2002/03, they saw off Man United in 2011/12, eliminated Tottenham from the Europa League in 2012/13 and beat Chelsea twice last term. In addition to all that, they have already won once against the Reds in Group B.

Recommended Bet: Lay Liverpool to win @ 1.824/5

Liverpool have gone six Champions League games without keeping a clean sheet

There has been the faintest hint of defensive improvement for Liverpool in the Premier League recently, with just one goal given up in their previous three matches, but the wider picture of four clean sheets from 22 attempts across the board in 2014/15 is far more damning. They have conceded two goals per game across their past three Champions League ties and FC Basel have fired one away blank in 14 fixtures on their travels this term, netting 12 times across the latest three.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.834/5

FC Basel have not scored after the 65th minute in the Champions League this season

While the Swiss side are prompt with their Champions League goal-getting, Liverpool prefer to pay homage to the heroes of Olympiakos, Istanbul and other such memorable European comebacks by leaving it late. Half of their four strikes since returning to Europe's top table have come in the closing ten minutes of clashes, and two of those were at Anfield. FC Basel have given up the last goal in each of their most recent four away Champions League outings.

Recommended Bet: Back Liverpool to score the last goal @ 1.625/8