Visualized: Liverpool 1-1 Basel

Previous Match Infographics: Sunderland (h), Leicester (a), Stoke (h), Ludogorets (a), Crystal Palace (a), Chelsea (h), Real Madrid (a), Newcastle (a), Hull (h), Real Madrid (h), QPR (a), West Brom (h), Basel (a), Everton (h), West Ham (a), Ludogorets (h), Aston Villa (h), Tottenham (a), Manchester City (a), Southampton (h)

As always, match data from Stats Zone, except shot location from Squawka and average player position from ESPN FC.


(Nota Bene: Here's the formation diagram usually included in match reviews)

Steven Gerrard – so nearly a hero yet again – said it best. Liverpool got exactly what they deserved, from yesterday's match and from this Champions League campaign.

We can complain about the underlying statistics, the same complaints that have been aired here over the last few weeks and months. Especially the shooting statistics: the slow start, the poor accuracy, etc. But you've heard those complaints before.

I'm far more concerned with Liverpool's – read: Brendan Rodgers' – philosophy and tactics yesterday.

Because I don't see Brendan Rodgers' philosophy anymore. But I do see Rodgers abandoning both the tactics which nearly saw Liverpool win the league last season and the players bought over the summer.

Liverpool's Starting XI
• Mignolet (Rodgers)
• Johnson (Benitez)
• Skrtel (Benitez)
• Lovren (Rodgers)
• Enrique (Dalglish)
• Lucas (Benitez)
• Allen (Rodgers)
• Sterling (Benitez, but debuted under Dalglish)
• Gerrard (Academy, debuted under Houllier)
• Henderson (Dalglish)
• Lambert (Rodgers)

There were as many players in the starting XI bought by a manager who was fired more than four years ago as were signed by the current manager. That's the most damning indictment of the recent transfer strategy I've seen, and I've seen a few. Meanwhile…

Liverpool's Bench
• Jones (Hodgson)
• Sakho (Rodgers)
• Moreno (Rodgers)
• Can (Rodgers)
• Lallana (Rodgers)
• Coutinho (Rodgers)
• Markovic (Rodgers)

Sigh. That's an awful lot of talent left on the bench. And an awful lot of transfer fees. And six of seven players who were bought by the current manager.

The starting XI was, for lack of a better word, embarrassing. It was overly cautious, overly ponderous, and seemingly failed to take into account Basel's (and Liverpool's) strengths.

- A return to the defense which led to the abomination at QPR. Sure, Toure was injured and Sakho's just back from injury (and who knows how match fit he is), but there's absolutely no argument for Enrique over Moreno or Manquillo except for that intangible "experience." Manquillo is stronger in the tackle, better at blocking crosses, and usually smarter in his positioning. Moreno has the much-needed pace that Liverpool's XI so sorely lacked. At least that was rectified at halftime.

- Lambert, clearly fatigued in the last two league matches, started for the sixth time in 16 days. Again, Liverpool's aren't overflowing with options (that Liverpool thought it a good idea to begin a campaign with Lambert and Borini as third- and fourth-choice strikers when the first choice is often injured and you've no idea what you're getting from the second is a valid, but different, discussion) but everyone – everyone! – had seen that was a recipe for disaster. If I saw it, and I'm an idiot, I've no idea how Rodgers didn't. Or, he still thought that a fatigued Lambert was still a better option than Borini or Sterling or Markovic or even Gerrard up front. Which is a damning indictment of the first player he signed for Liverpool, a player who hasn't made an appearance since the loss at Palace, among other things. At least that was rectified at halftime.

- Lucas had looked better as the sole defensive midfielder with two players ahead of him, but yesterday's he partnered with Allen, seemingly reacting to Basel's shape with Zuffi and Elneny ahead of Frei. And it led to multiple moments like this one, with Liverpool's midfield out of position because one midfielder's not sure if it's time to go forward but yep it's time to go forward oh shit wait we're both going forward and Liverpool have lost possession and yikes. And moments like the goal – starting from a Liverpool giveaway in its own half, because Liverpool are not good at passing from the back when pressured – with Frei and Zuffi passing around Lucas and Frei dancing past Allen, although Skrtel's backing off of those two was just as culpable.

- Henderson on the left, because Xhaka is a more attacking fullback than Safari, I guess. A position he's started in once (at Newcastle this season, with Sterling again on the right, which went well) since the beginning of 2013-14.

Hindsight's 20/20 etc., but Liverpool needed pace against Basel's press and counter, not a ponderous midfield, a fatigued striker, a central midfielder on the flank, and defenders who look utterly terrified every time the ball's at their feet. It's no coincidence that Liverpool improved after halftime, bringing on the speedy Markovic and Moreno for the hapless Lambert and Enrique, beginning to take the game to Basel rather than vice versa.

Liverpool weren't vastly better, but Liverpool were better. Liverpool were proactive rather than reactive. Liverpool were actually almost threatening. In just 15 minutes, Markovic completed more successful dribbles than any player except Sterling and Safari.

Yes, that strategy was doomed by a hilariously bad red card to Markovic. But Liverpool still kept pushing, still played on the front foot, and, yes, were obviously helped by Basel happy to defend a one-goal lead rather than seeking out more. Once Gerrard conjured a moment of magic – and no matter the (often valid) complaints about him and how he's used these days, no other Liverpool player is capable of that magic – Liverpool went for it, and Liverpool nearly succeeded. But it's funny that occurred with Skrtel left up front. Resorting to a center-back up front is something you'd expect from Mourinho, or Hodgson, or most managers, but not Rodgers. But in the 90th minute, Skrtel almost scored the winner by making a near post run, the type of run that Liverpool strikers have failed (or been unable) to make since Sturridge was injured.

I still have more time for Brendan Rodgers than most, but this cannot keep happening. For once, Rodgers' in-game changes improved the side, but his starting XI was chosen in the hopes of not losing rather than winning, despite Liverpool needing to win. I can't help but remember Rafa Benitez's final, horrible season. Needing to overhaul a deficit in the Europa League knockout rounds, he went guns blazing – despite his usual inclination to do nothing of the sort, especially in European competition – and hammered Lille and Benfica, both sides vastly better than this Basel side.

It's easy to say from behind a computer, but Rodgers has to have more faith in his team, his transfers, and his tactics. He's got to dance with the one that brought him here. Or it's going to be a very long and very uncomfortable six months before a probable summer exit.

Liverpool v Basel 12.09.14

2:45pm ET, live in the US on Fox Sports 1

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Sunderland (h); 3-1 Leicester (a); 1-0 Stoke (h)
Basel: 3-0 Luzern (h); 2-1 Zürich (a); 0-1 Madrid (h)

Previous CL matches:
Liverpool: 2-2 Ludogorets (a); 0-1 Real (a); 0-3 Real (h); 0-1 Basel (a); 2-1 Ludogorets (h)
Basel: 0-1 Madrid (h); 4-0 Ludogorets (h); 0-1 Ludogorets (a); 1-0 Liverpool (h); 1-5 Madrid (a)

Goalscorers (CL):
Liverpool: Balotelli, Gerrard, Henderson, Lambert 1
Basel: Gonzalez 2; Embolo, Gashi, Streller, Suchy 1

Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)

Kuipers has actually been in charge of three previous Liverpool matches, all three ending in Liverpool wins.

Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Manquillo Skrtel Toure Johnson
Lucas
Henderson Gerrard
Lallana Lambert Sterling

Once again, I worry about players' fatigue – especially Lambert, Sterling, Lucas, Johnson, Toure, and Henderson – but I doubt we'll see much change from the last few starting XIs. Other than (finally) resting Gerrard on occasion, there hasn't been much rotation in the last few lineups. Any port in a storm, and even if Liverpool have been unconvincing at best, they're still unbeaten in the last four matches.

Only two spots seem up for grabs: the right-sided attacker, whether Lallana, Coutinho, or Markovic, and the fullback opposite Johnson.

Both Lallana and Markovic seem more likely than Coutinho, still struggling and also used centrally in his last two appearances. I'd prefer Markovic's pace opposite Sterling's, for two quick players buzzing around Lambert rather than just one, but I suspect Lallana will be preferred, with Markovic used off the bench if needed, as he was against Sunderland.

As for the fullback, your guess is as good as mine. Manquillo's started four of the five Champions League matches so far and is the best defensive fullback available, but Johnson could stay on the right with either Enrique or Moreno on the other side. We've seen all of those combinations in the last four matches.

Since Gerrard will assuredly come back into the side and since Lucas has become crucial to Liverpool's defensive security, if Rodgers wants to change the midfield, Henderson seems the most likely change, but I still doubt that the vice-captain will be left out.

There's no point in continuing to guess Borini will start, despite my fervent wish to see something different up front, because Rodgers has shown absolutely zero signs of considering him as an alternative. He hasn't even made the squad since the 2-2 draw at Ludogorets, hasn't made an appearance since getting 20 minutes at Crystal Palace. And with Balotelli still injured, it has to be Lambert, for his sixth start in 13 days, playing the full 90 minutes in the previous five matches. That seems a recipe for disaster.

Basel are currently dominating the Swiss League, eight points clear of second place and with five consecutive league wins, outscoring the opposition by a 14-1 margin during than span.

As in the reverse fixture, Basel have the option of playing three or four at the back. They're equally comfortable in both formations, but were better against Liverpool after switching to back three, a change necessitated by an early injury. But they've used a back four far more often of late, in both in the league and Champions League. If that's the case, the XI seems likely to be Vaclik; Degen, Schär, Suchy, Safari; El Nenny, Serey Die, Frei; Gonzalez, Streller, Embolo. Which is pretty much the same XI that started when these sides met in Basel.

But, only needing a draw to progress, Basel may play more defensively, with three center-backs and restrained wing-backs, Xhaka or the experienced Walter Samuel coming in as a third CB. Given how Liverpool have tried, struggled, and usually failed to break down deep defenses who pack the middle of the pitch, it makes a certain amount of sense.

Basel's only absentee is Ivan Ivanov, who also missed the reverse fixture. Philipp Degen, who missed the last meeting through injury (surprise!), is available, having started the last five matches. Which is exciting.

Despite five less-than-convincing performances, despite scoring all of four goals in those five matches (all four coming against Ludogorets), if Liverpool win tomorrow, Liverpool progress to the knockout rounds. Considering how bad Liverpool have looked in this competition, that's an indictment of the rest of the group (Real Madrid excluded, obviously). But if Liverpool fail to win, they'll drop into the European competition no one wants to be in, because Ludogorets aren't taking points off of an already-qualified Real Madrid in Madrid. That's less than ideal given where Liverpool (and Liverpool's squad) are at the moment.

Unfortunately, Liverpool will need actually need to attack to win, and that's where things get tricky.

This has the potential to be one of those special European nights at Anfield, the type of nights Liverpool have dreamed about during this five-year exile from the Champions League. But Liverpool will have to be better than we've seen of late to reach that potential.

Visualized: Liverpool 0-1 Basel

Previous Match Infographics: Everton (h), West Ham (a), Ludogorets (h), Aston Villa (h), Tottenham (a), Manchester City (a), Southampton (h)

As always, match data from Stats Zone, except shot location from Squawka and average player position from ESPN FC.


Rodgers tried to adapt a more counter-attack strategy, which was an understandable gambit away from home in European competition. It failed for two reasons. Liverpool constantly mis-controlled or chose the wrong pass when attacking (while Basel also defended well, especially on their right flank, where Liverpool focused its attacks), and Liverpool yet again conceded from a set play despite looking reasonably secure in open play.

Liverpool's attacking third passing and play was reminiscent of the West Ham loss, which – I doubt I need remind – was very much not good.



Liverpool were caught offsides seven times yesterday, more than double the previous high for the season (three each against Villa and Ludogorets). Twice those offside decisions came with the ball in the back of the net: Sterling in the third minute, Balotelli in the 88th.

We covered pretty much all there is to cover about Sterling's performance in yesterday's match review – and I'm still quite angry he played the full 90 minutes – but it's also worth noting that he was dispossessed four times and turned the ball over four times, more than any other Liverpool player, another sign of the "mental fatigue" hypothesis, dwelling long enough on the ball for a defender to get involved. This season, he'd averaged 1.46 dispossessions and 1.79 turnovers per 90 minutes prior to yesterday's match.

Two more things mentioned in yesterday's match review that bear repeating.

First, not one of Liverpool's front three created a single chance. That's happened just once before under Rodgers – the 1-3 loss at Southampton in 2012-13 – whether counting the striker and wide attackers in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, or both strikers and the central attacking midfielder in the 4-4-2 diamond, or just when counting the front two strikers the few times Liverpool have played 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. That's a startling lack of creativity, and a sign that there's no coordination in attack at the moment, just a bunch of individual attackers hoping that something comes off.

Second, Mario Balotelli did not touch the ball once inside Basel's penalty box.



We've excused a fair amount of Balotelli's play because he's still adapting to a radically changing team and he's been mostly as advertised, but that's still inexcusable. You're the central striker. Get in the box.

That 10 of Liverpool's 15 shots came in the Danger Zone surprised in retrospect, but not many were especially viable chances. Five were blocked, three were off-target, and two on-target: Lovren's 44th minute header hit into the ground rather than directly at goal, easy for Vaclik to claim, and Markovic's close range bicycle kick taken right atop the keeper in the 54th. Three of those DZ shots came from corners: two headers from Lovren, one from Gerrard. All five of the blocks came after Basel had taken the lead, which – yet again – allowed the defenders to sit deeper to deny Liverpool space in the final third.

And, interestingly, Liverpool didn't take a single shot from wide areas, either inside or outside of the penalty area. Against Everton and West Ham, that's where the majority of Liverpool's shots came from.

Despite Basel's overwhelming edge in possession, Liverpool did fairly well in denying open play chances. Just five of Basel's 11 shots came inside the box, just two inside the Danger Zone. Mignolet made smart saves of Basel's best two opportunities from open play. Had Liverpool not failed yet again when defending a corner – even if it was failing just once from seven corners and four attacking third set plays – Liverpool would at least have taken a point, which is no small matter away from home in Europe, up against the side likely to be the closest competitors for that second qualifying spot.

But Liverpool failed yet again on a corner, and a still broken side is now returning to England with no reward and more headaches.

Liverpool 0-1 Basel

Goals:
Streller 52'

Complete disconnect in attack and a goal conceded from a set play. Stop me if you've heard this one before.

So rather than hash over the gory details about how Liverpool looked reasonably secure until conceding not long after halftime or how Basel actually became better after a 5th minute injury, forcing a switch from 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2, I'm going to focus on something else.

We'll quote it in its entirety.

“Some managers would take the stance of ‘I don’t care’ because you might only be in a job for three, four, five years so make sure he plays as much as he can for you,” said Rodgers. “But I have welfare for the boy. I think it has to be critical that, in 10 years’ time, he is approaching his peak, as opposed to having played his best games. When he gets to 28 and if he has got too many miles on the clock and he is burned out, that is something we will have to look at. He is a big talent. He broke into the team at 17. As a club, we have managed him quite well. But it is hard when you are such a good player and you keep performing. Both your club and your country need you. Michael Owen had different types of injuries. Then you look at Robbie Fowler. You think of how good he was when he was a kid and then injuries caught up with him. He was 27, really. That is why I am protecting them when I can. You want that form to be consistent. You have to make sure he is fresh and well. He is a talented boy who will be managed as we feel is best.

I really try not to partake in the second-guessing game, but Raheem Sterling should not have played 90 minutes today. In fact, he probably shouldn't have played at all. Playing him made the side worse, and is potentially detrimentally to his career. I want to make it clear. I'm not criticizing the player. I'm criticizing the manager. All that's changed between now and the above quotes from Rodgers are Liverpool's increasingly poor form and results, so Rodgers is riding Sterling as hard as he can, because he sees a still-developing 19-year-old as his best hope.

That's not good.

I realize that Sterling is Liverpool's best attacking option at the moment. But three times the ball found him in space in or just outside the box, all in the second half with Liverpool chasing the game. Three times he failed to control, either forcing a shot easily blocked or losing possession. It's not so much physical fatigue – although that's there too – but mental fatigue. The kind of fatigue that also leads to losing possession in the 90th minute against Ludogorets or back passes in the 120th minute against Middlesbrough. And unlike on Saturday, where he was Liverpool's most creative player, he also failed to create a single chance.

To compound matters, Liverpool have lots of other problems at the moment.

Part of the reason Sterling continues to play no matter form or fitness is that Liverpool's other attackers aren't offering much help. Balotelli again worked hard, but never even touched the ball in Basel's penalty box, which is very much a bad thing for your central striker, and – like Sterling – failed to create a single chance. Sure, he's been as advertised and will be better once Sturridge returns, but he's been fairly dire as a lone attacker in this still-changing Liverpool system. Markovic's performance was an improvement on Boro or Everton, but he still looks every bit a 20-year-old low on confidence adjusting to a new team and league, and – like Sterling and Balotelli – failed to create a single chance. It's also not good when none of your attackers complete a key pass.

Meanwhile, Coutinho completed five, and was the first player substituted, for Lallana in the 70th minute. And to be fair, Liverpool had two decent opportunities after Lallana came on. Unfortunately, the first was one of the aforementioned opportunities for a clearly fatigued Sterling, the other was put wide by Markovic from Enrique's pass. And after Rickie Lambert replaced Markovic in the 81st minute, Liverpool's marginal opportunities completely dried up, the only moment of note when Balotelli was very offside when receiving Gerrard's chip over the defense, otherwise sputtering to yet another narrow, disappointing loss. As against Villa, as against West Ham.

Liverpool weren't incredibly exposed in midfield, with Henderson and Gerrard offering enough protection, but they had absolutely no control either, with Basel dominating possession until taking the lead, and continuing to edge possession even after taking it. Liverpool were however, very exposed on the flanks, the wing-backs getting forward to excellent effect against both Manquillo and Enrique.

And, of course, set play defending remains almost as big a problem as the misfiring attack, today's effort featuring Skrtel holding, Lovren ball-watching, and Mignolet parrying Schär's initial header straight into the path of Streller. Superb. 0-0 would have been disappointing, but still a decent result away from home in the Champions League, and set play defending is the reason Liverpool didn't even get that. Again.

All told, Liverpool were outclassed by a side that wasn't very good. Yes, life without Suarez, and now without an injured Sturridge, acclimating all these new players in a new system was always going to be difficult, and was going to be a process, but it shouldn't be this arduous. This was a team that Liverpool should have beaten, even struggling for form and with key players missing. Basel worked hard and caused problems down the flanks, but that shouldn't be enough to beat Liverpool.

Unfortunately, at the moment, it is, just as Villa and West Ham also demonstrated. And now Liverpool have to claw back even the minuscule boost in confidence from the decent performance against Everton. Because in three days time, they face a West Brom side not only above them in the league, but who also won their last game solely because of their threat from set plays.

Liverpool at Basel 10.01.14

2:45pm ET, live in the US on Fox Sports 2

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Everton (h); 2-2 Boro [14-13 pens] (h); 1-3 West Ham (a)
Basel: 1-1 Thun (h); 3-1 Vaduz (h); 4-0 Winterthur (a)

Previous CL matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Ludogorets (h)
Basel: 1-5 Real Madrid (a)

Goalscorers (CL):
Liverpool: Balotelli, Gerrard 1
Basel: Gonzalez 1

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)

Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Manquillo Skrtel Lovren Moreno
Gerrard Henderson
Lallana Coutinho Sterling
Balotelli

Once again, it's still too soon for Daniel Sturridge, who didn't travel with the team to Switzerland. And neither did Mamadou Sakho, currently being punished for walking out on the club after being left out of the squad over the weekend.

Which means that tomorrow's XI is going to look an awful lot like the one we saw on Saturday. I suspect we'll see Coutinho or Borini in place of Markovic, who was suspended for the last match against Ludogorets, as the young winger's disappointed in his last two appearances. He'd probably benefit from being used as a substitute, where his speed can have more effect, especially if Liverpool are ahead in the match.

Liverpool could play a diamond, with Gerrard at the base; two from Henderson, Lucas, and Coutinho as the shuttlers; Lallana, Sterling, or Coutinho at the apex; and Balotelli and Borini or Lambert up front. Which doesn't seem ideal – even though Liverpool need help up front, the diamond doesn't ever seem ideal without Allen or Can opposite Henderson – it could work against Basel's likely 3-4-2-1 formation, giving Liverpool added strength in the middle of the pitch and an extra body up front so Balotelli isn't isolated against all those center-backs.

But for the most part, the XI writes itself. Unlike in the League Cup, we won't see many, if any, usual starters rested. Even if some players (*cough* Gerrard *cough*) clearly benefited from the lack of a midweek fixture. This match will go a long way in deciding the group – Liverpool and Basel are seemingly playing for second place – and it's not as if Liverpool are spoilt for choice, mainly thanks to lingering injuries.

As with Ludogorets, I won't pretend to know much about Basel's set-up or tactics. I know that they walk the Swiss Super League almost every season – league winners in the last five seasons, two points clear at the top after 10 games this season – and that they usually sell one or two key players every season, and then rebuild. See: Shaqiri, Xhaka, Salah, etc.

They're now managed by Paulo Sousa, who you may remember from QPR, Swansea, or Leicester. Sousa was Swansea's manager prior to Brendan Rodgers, leaving for a bigger salary at Leicester, where he lasted all of 86 days, while Rodgers got Swansea promoted to the Premier League in his first season.

Basel's usual system so far this season is 3-4-2-1, and the XI which lost 1-5 to Real Madrid was Vaclik; Schär, Samuel, Suchy; T Xhaka, El Nenny, Frei, Safari; Gonzalez, Zuffi; Streller. Fabian Schär is seemingly the next player to depart for a bigger club/league/paycheck, while Samuel and Streller are cagey veterans, and Fabian Frei is Basel's cornerstone central midfielder. Serey Die is another option as a defensive midfielder, Matias Delgado as an attacking midfielder. The legendary Philipp Degen still plays for Basel, but will surprisingly miss out due to injury, as will center-back Ivan Ivanov, the reigning Bulgarian Footballer of the Year.

Basel have been difficult European opponents in the last few seasons, making the round of 16 in the Champions League in 2011-12, reaching the Europa League semifinals in 2012-13 (where they lost to Chelsea), and beating Chelsea twice in the Champions League group stage last season, ultimately ending up in the Europa League where they made the last eight.

Unlike Liverpool, they have experience in European competition, no matter the turnover Basel's squad goes through every season. Liverpool certainly can't take them lightly, but Liverpool's form of late has meant they can't take anyone lightly.

No matter the result, Liverpool were a better side on Saturday, delivering one of the stronger performances of the season despite the continuing struggles in front of goal. Not that that's saying much. Sousa's preferred tactics and the fact that Liverpool are away from home should mean that the team has more space to operate, to counter-attack, compared to almost every other fixture so far this season. It's always dangerous to have hope, but if Liverpool can build on Saturday's performance, tomorrow's match could well be a much-needed turning point.