FC Basel vs Liverpool Match Report

FC Basel 1-0 Liverpool: Match Report

Basel: Vaclik, Xhaka, Schar, Suchy, Safari (Gonzalez), Die, Frei, El-Neny, Embolo(Calla), Hamoudi (Zuffi), Streller.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Markovic (Lambert), Sterling, Balotelli, Coutinho (Lallana).

Report:

Game week two of Champions league, saw group B teams taking stage with five time Champions league winners Liverpool travelling across the channel to take on FC Basel the team from Switzerland who where their opponents for the night. Brendan Rodgers'side arrive having just won one of their previous five fixtures inside 90 minutes, that victory coming against a European competition newcomers Ludogorets. 

The Reds struggled to score past Ludogorets as they needed a late 90th minute penalty to win their opening fixture of the season. With injuries hampering Liverpool's form, it was a night where their opponents smelt blood and took full advantage of their weakness.

Liverpool made two changes from the team that played Everton at the weekend, leftback Luis Enrique coming in for his fellow country man and former Inter boy, Philippe Coutinho came in for Adam Lallana. Basel had their own set of changes, midfielder Frei and teenager Breel Embolo had been handed a start on the right side of the wings. 

The game was underway with Basel kick off the first half, Liverpool were handed a almost perfect start as right back Manquillio put in a cross with Sterling at the end of the cross, as the England winger hit the ball against the post at first, later tapping the ball in the net but, it was waved offside by the ref. Early substitution for Basel as Safari went of injured. After a great start from the travelling side, the game settled down with Basel had more of the ball as game progressed.

Mignolet had nothing to do until to do until quarter mark of the game. With both teams taking the safer route of defending and counter attacking the first half ended as a stalemate. 

With both sides looking for a break, Liverpool got us underway for the second half. Early action came from the home team as Sterling seemed to have fouled Gonzalez, with ref waving off any penalty shouts as replays showed, Liverpool where fortunate to not to have gone one nil down. But it didn't take Basel too long as Marco Streller gave them lead through a corner as Skrtel headed it towards his own goal, as Mignolet made a good save, Marco Streller was there to tap in the ball. 

One-Nil Basel. Basel defended excellently as Liverpool through a flurry of attacks on them. As the lead through the second half they were happy to pass the ball around and waste time. Liverpool's striker who was disappointing for the night lined up a free kick as the Basel keeper parred the shot. Another chance falling to the Balp, he just couldn't to any better as he sliced it over the bar. 

As game progressed to the ending stages, Liverpool pushed forward as they had the ball in the net, as Gerrard put Balo through towards the goal but was waved of for offside.

The final whistle had blown, Basel 1 Liverpool 0