Fabian Frei’s first-half strike proved crucial at Anfield, the Swiss champions holding on for second place in Group B despite a late Steven Gerrard equaliser.
FC Basel 1893 secured their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a draw at Anfield that ended the hopes of ten-man Liverpool FC.
The Reds had needed a victory to overtake their opponents but Paulo Sousa’s men performed impressively and took a deserved win through Fabian Frei’s first-half goal. Steven Gerrard equalised with a brilliant late free-kick but Liverpool, reduced to ten men by the dismissal of substitute Lazar Marković, could not find the crucial second goal.
For Liverpool, this contest had obvious parallels with the last group game against Olympiacos FC ten years and a day ago, a famous 3-1 victory that provided the launchpad for the triumphant run to Istanbul. Although Liverpool showed urgency from the start, some uncertain Martin Škrtel defending let in Shkelzen Gashi for an early opportunity he sliced wide.
At the other end the tone of a frustrating first half for Liverpool was set when Raheem Sterling failed to find Gerrard inside the Basel box. Liverpool’s passing lacked fluency and a sharper Basel carried the greater threat. Marco Streller had a shot blocked when Mohamed Elneny’s cross fell invitingly but after 25 minutes Basel took the lead.
It was a well-worked goal as Frei twisted away from Joe Allen and fed Luca Zuffi who teed him up to arrow a first-time shot across Simon Mignolet and into the bottom corner. The Switzerland midfielder had already scored at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane and now has a goal in front of the Kop to add to his collection.
Buoyed, Basel took control and threatened a second. José Enrique put Derlis González off his stride as he threatened to break through while Streller hit an acrobatic volley wide when Taulant Xhaka picked him out unmarked at the far post.
Brendan Rodgers’ reaction was a half-time double substitution as Marković and Albert Moreno came on. This meant Sterling moved into the central striking role but Liverpool remained frustrated and Xhaka nearly killed off the contest with a shot just past the far post.
On the hour Liverpool’s night went from bad to worse with Marković dismissed for catching Behrang Safari in the face with his trailing hand. Yet Gerrard gave them hope when he curled in a superb free-kick in off the post with nine minutes remaining. There were chances at both ends in a tense finish but, when Tomáš Vaclík pushed aside Jordan Henderon’s added-time effort, Basel had held out.
source: uefa.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 