Liverpool could literally transform their anxiety into tears of joy and relief tonight. So far, the Reds’ adventure on their return to UEFA Champions League football has been terrible. They’ve picked up only one win (a narrow escape at home to minnows Ludogorets) from five games. They are third in Group B with a negative goal difference. Still, it is not over.
Last 16 qualification is within their reach. What’s the deal? Beating FC Basel on the last matchday of the group stages would guarantee that. Expect the Anfield home crowd to rally behind every single Liverpool player on the pitch. Describing the situation, coach Brendan Rodgers explained:
“It's an opportunity for the players now to qualify and make sure they write themselves into folklore by winning the game and ensuring they get into the next round, because that's the objective.
“We go into the game in good condition physically and mentally. We know what the job is. It's going to be a tough game. But Basel come here on the back of losing their away games in the group. So I'm sure they understand it's going to be a tough game for them.”
A decade ago, the Merseyside Reds were in a similar situation where they needed a two-goal margin win against Greek side Olympiacos to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. Despite going a goal down through a Rivaldo free-kick, the hosts pounced back with Steven Gerrard making it 3-1 in dramatic fashion.
After losing 1-0 to FC Basel in Switzerland, can Liverpool’s current crop of players turn December 9th as a memorable date in the history of their club?
Liverpool vs FC Basel team sheets:
Liverpool's lineup: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Enrique, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Lambert.
FC Basel's lineup: Vaclik; Xhaka, Schär, Suchy, Safari; Elneny, Frei, Zuffi; González, Streller, Gashi.
Liverpool's Subs: Jones, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic.
FC Basel's Subs: Vailati, Degen, Samuel, Delgado, Díaz, Hamoudi, Embolo.
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