Liverpool vs Basel: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League fixture at Anfield

Liverpool must beat Basel in their final Group B fixture to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. Brendan Rogers' side have not won in Europe since edging past Ludogorets in their opening game of their European campaign back in September, but they will finish second in the group if they overcome Basel at Anfield.

The visitors beat Liverpool 1-0 when the sides last met in October, to secure their fifth consecutive victory over Premier League opposition in Europe. But they only need a point on Tuesday night to progress to the last 16, as they currently sit in second place, two points ahead of the hosts.

Champions League latest scores including Liverpool vs Basel and Galatasaray vs Arsenal

After a five-year absence from Europe’s premier club competition, Liverpool have endured a lackluster campaign. However, they are unbeaten in their last four matches, and after Rogers opted to rest Steven Gerrard for 65 minutes of the goalless draw against Stoke on Saturday, he will be confident that his fresh legged captain can lead Liverpool to another historic European victory at Anfield.

The match comes 10 years and a day after Gerrard’s late goal against Olympiakos saw them progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League competition which they went on to win in 2005.

KICK-OFF 19:45

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Basel 1 (Streller), Liverpool 0, Champions League, October 2014

Basel 3 (Rossi, Gimenez, Atouba) Liverpool 3 (Murphy, Smicer, Owen), Champions League, November 2002

Liverpool 1 (Baros) Basel 1 (Rossi), Champions League, September 2002

STATS:

Liverpool have gone four games without a win in the Champions League

The last time Liverpool went five games without a win in Europe was in 2001/2002

Brendan Rodgers replaced Basel manager Paulo Sousa as the manager of Swansea in 2010

Basel have won seven out their last eight games

ODDS

Liverpool to win: 1.8

Basel to win: 3.8

Draw: 4.8

TV: Live on ITV/ITV HD at 7.45pm