If only Liverpool had started this game with the defiance and attacking zest that they ended it then Steven Gerrard and company would not now be in the Europa League.
When Basel took the lead through Fabian Frei and then Lazar Markovic was controversially sent off on the hour for wafting a fingertip at Behrang Safari’s nose, Liverpool looked doomed. Anfield was subdued. Rodgers looked bereft of ideas. Gerrard gave them brief hope, curling in a brilliant free-kick, but Basel held on and go through into the Champions League knockout draw with Group B winners, Real Madrid.
Basel deserved their point. They had played with such style in the first half. They had seemed in total control when Markovic departed, a decision that guaranteed Safari plenty of boos and the referee, Bjorn Kuipers, plenty of catcalls at the final whistle. Despite Gerrard’s riposte, Basel deservedly progressed. Liverpool made too many mistakes.
Fluttering in one corner of the Kop had been a banner urging the players to “never, never, never give up” yet Liverpool’s hopes were damaged in a first half riddled with mistakes by Rodgers’ side and spiced with swift, confident attacking from Paulo Sousa’s visitors. Basel were terrific in that opening 45 minutes, as good as Liverpool were poor.
Rodgers had hoped Liverpool would summon up the spirit and deeds of a decade ago when Gerrard struck to defeat Olympiakos in front of the Kop and secure qualification for the knock-out stage. A replica of the European Cup won that season was paraded outside Anfield, the Kop was full, You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung powerfully but there were clear concerns over Basel’s threat even before Frei’s fine strike after 25 minutes.
Their captain, Marco Streller, had immediately begun imposing his huge frame on Liverpool’s centre-halves, Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren. Streller provided an outlet as well as a target, also linking adepty. Derlis Gonzalez was speeding forward on the right, joined by the spritely wing-back, Taulant Xhaka, who was soon clattered by Lucas. Over on the left, Shkelzen Gashi gave Basel further width and dynamism. Liverpool were over-stretched and over-run.
Jose Enrique was really struggling, needing coaxing and encouraging from Rodgers as white shirts poured past him. Alberto Moreno sat on the bench for 45 minutes, looking on, and could have been forgiven for wondering why he had been overlooked until Rodgers acted at the break. Enrique is certainly no Joey Jones.
Enrique was not alone in his discomfort. Dejan Lovren was deputising for Kolo Toure, who injured his groin at the weekend, and the Croatian international was rarely convincing. Liverpool were edgy, frequently wasteful in possession, seemingly overwhelmed by the occasion and the fluid movement of the Swiss for 45 minutes. Enrique and Skrtel made mistakes, inviting Basel on. Gashi ran down the inside-left channel but shot into the Kop.
Rodgers’ tactics had seemed far too cautious for a team chasing all three points. Two of his more creative players, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, began on the bench and when the changes came at the break, it was Markovic scampering on for that cameo that ended in such controversy. Rickie Lambert was isolated upfront, lacking service, let alone company. Raheem Sterling tried to open up Basel’s defence but they were too organised.
With Lucas holding, Jordan Henderson embarked on one promising run down the left while Gerrard was quiet before the break. Glen Johnson did pick out Sterling but Frei cut out the danger. Still the nerves persisted. When Johnson lost the ball to Gashi, Lucas cleaned up. Johnson then did well to block Streller’s shot as Liverpool’s defence was cut open again. The Kop began chanting “attack, attack, attack”, pleading with the players to seize that lead.
Instead it was Sousa’s men who struck right in front of the Kop. All that space was so inviting for Basel, who took a deserved lead midway through the half. Frei advanced towards the edge of the area, exchanged passes with Luca Zuffi, and then drove the ball from left to right past Simon Mignolet. Liverpool now needed to score twice.
In a game that Liverpool needed to win, one of their busiest figures was their keeper. Liverpool’s problems were highlighted by the half-time figures that revealed Mignolet making five more touches that Lambert (22 to 17).
Rodgers was certainly decisive at the break, removing Lambert, putting Markovic down the right and switching Sterling into the centre. Liverpool now had more pace and Markovic tore into Basel, having a couple of early shots until dismissed within 15 minutes, leaving his side in even more trouble.
Just after the excellent Xhaka had shot wide, Markovic departed in contentious circumstances. Running across midfield, Markovic was being tracked by Safari, and the Serbian twice looked back to check on the Tehran-born Swede. Markovic then wafted his right arm back, as much for balance, and his finger-tips appeared to clip Safari’s nose. The Basel No 19 milked the minimal contact and Markovic walked. Safari ruined the big game.
Markovic looked bemused at Kuipers’ decision. He briefly smiled before eventually walking away. Rodgers held his head in his hands and then ignored Markovic as he went past. Markovic had some choice words for the fourth official, Angelo Boonman.
Liverpool went to a back-three, Skrtel, Lovren and the left-sided Johnson with Moreno pushing into midfield. Gerrard was even further forward, even rolling back the years, running through the middle, charging into the box. Basel’s Czech keeper, Tomas Vaclik, had anticipated the attack, timing his run, diving at the feet of Gerrard and getting the ball first. Gerrard went over, appealing for a penalty but it was the correct decision by Kuipers to wave play on. The Kop was incensed but Vaclik had saved well.
Frustration bit into Liverpool. Moreno took out Gonzalez and was rightly booked. With 15 minutes remaining, Rodgers made his last change, taking off the booked and tiring Lucas and sending on Coutinho.
And then came Gerrard, lifting the roof at Anfield, giving hope to the home fans. A foul on Sterling gave Gerrard the free-kick opportunity. It was in territory that he loves, slightly to the left of centre, ideal for his right foot. Gerrard stepped up, curling the ball over the wall and into the net with Vaclik having no chance to intercept. Gerrard had hit the ball too quickly, imparted the requisite spin and the placement was perfection. Gerrard ran to the fans to celebrate, before gathering the players back in their half for the resumption.
Liverpool had eight minutes to rescue their Champions League season. Just one goal was required. They were a man down but their tails were up. Basel awoke and tried to restore their lead. Mignolet, so often maligned, made a good save to deny Zuffi.
In a crazy final few minutes, Basel launched some counter-attacks, heading for Mignolet’s goal when Sousa was screaming at them to head down to the corner-flag. Roared on by the Kop, Liverpool refused to go quietly.
Skrtel shot wide from a Sterling cross. Henderson’s pile-driver was pushed away by Vaclik.
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