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Adam Davy
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Basel v Liverpool, Champions League

Basel took on Liverpool, as the Reds looked to build on their opening day win against Ludogorets.

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Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

The Liverpool team sees two changes to the side that drew with Everton — Philippe Coutinho comes in for Adam Lallana, while Jose Enrique takes the place of Alberto Moreno.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Enrique; Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling; Markovic, Balotelli.

Real Madrid beat Basel 5-1 on the opening day of Champions League group action, but the Swiss side are capable of producing a big performance on the day, as Chelsea found out not so long ago.

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Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group B - FC Basel v Liverpool - St Jakob Park Adam Davy Adam Davy

(FC Basel’s Coach Paulo Sousa pictured before the game)

We’re underway…

Positive opening from Basel.

The Swiss side attack straight away and win a corner, which Liverpool then clear fairly comfortably.

4 mins: So far, Liverpool seem content to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter-attack.

They at least won’t have to worry about Basel parking the bus, as is increasingly the case with their opponents in the Premier League.

7 mins: “I think there’s a few nerves,” says RTÉ’s Jim Begin.

Both teams have given the ball away quite cheaply on a regular basis so far.

Basel are forced into an early change with the injured Safari being replaced by the Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, Ludogorets have taken the lead against Real Madrid through Nascimento da Costa.

12 mins: Gerrard concedes possession in a dangerous area and the ball is played to Streller, whose shot is deflected wide.

The Liverpool captain isn’t the only player who’s looked a little unsure of himself so far, but that incident epitomises the visitors’ below-par start.

Bad defending from Jose Enrique allows Gonzalez in on the right, following an incisive through ball.

However, the sub fails to control it properly, and it’s another let-off for Liverpool, as the ball goes harmlessly out of play.

Coutinho does well to win a free-kick down the left.

Nevertheless, the Liverpool captain’s free-kick goes harmlessly into the goalkeeper’s arms. The set pieces have been a little disappointing so far tonight.

22 mins: Basel continue to probe but Liverpool have defended quite well so far.

The hosts are looking a little short of ideas at the moment.

26 mins: Basel have had 66% of the possession so far — not that they’ve done much with it.

As I type, Manquillo blasts a shot well over, which epitomises the lack of a goal threat in this game so far.

32 mins: Promising from Liverpool, as Coutinho finds Manquillo on the right. Nevertheless, the full-back’s cross goes tamely into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Meanwhile, down the other end, Gonzaroua Die dribbles past two players in the box, but his powerful strike is straight at Mignolet.

38 mins: Liverpool finally put a decent passage of play together, as a series of passes ends with Enrique’s cross being headed clear for a corner.

It’s barely a half chance, but it’s at least better from Liverpool.

43 mins: Decent chance for Liverpool, as Lovren heads towards goal, but the goalkeeper saves the defender’s weak effort with relative ease.

Down the other end, Basel win a corner, but it’s subsequently comfortably cleared.

It hasn’t been the most incident-packed of first halfs.

HALF-TIME: BASEL 0-0 LIVERPOOL

The second half is underway…

49 mins: An excellent passing move from Basel ends with half-hearted cries for a penalty.

Sterling had his arm all over Gonzalez, so the Liverpool winger is lucky to get away with that judging by replays.

GOAL FOR BASEL!

Basel 1-0 Liverpool (Streller 52)

A header appears to deflect off Skrtel and is well saved by Mignolet, but Streller is on hand to slot in the rebound.

It had been coming following a strong start to the second half by Basel.

56 mins: Liverpool seem to have finally come alive following that goal.

Schär has to make a last-ditch tackle on Markovic, after good link-up play between Coutinho and him.

60 mins: Balotelli’s free bounces off the goalkeeper, before Schär makes another excellent block to deny Markovic.

Liverpool definitely have the upperhand now.

Good cross-field ball by Henderson to find Sterling, but Gonzalez recovers well to stop the England star running through on goal.

Down the other end, Embolo threatens to dribble through on goal before a last-ditch tackle stops him.

Another good chance for Sterling, but Xhaka blocks his attempt and clears.

Meanwhile, Lallana has replaced the ineffectual Coutinho, as Liverpool continue to press for an equaliser.

70 mins: Balotelli gets booked for brushing the face of Xhaka.

The Italian striker looks increasingly frustrated as the game wears on.

75 mins: Great interplay from Liverpool, as Lallana ultimately plays Sterling through.

But somehow, the winger completely miscues and the ball falls harmlessly into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Shortly thereafter,  an overhit cross comes to the onrushing Markovic, who blasts the ball just wide.

Liverpool have at least looked more dangerous in the second half.

81 mins: Lambert replaces Markovic for Liverpool, while Basel make a defensive change, with Embolo being replaced by Callà.

It’s going to be a tense final 10 minutes.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group B - FC Basel v Liverpool - St Jakob Park Adam Davy Adam Davy

It’s been one of those nights for Mario Balotelli.

85 mins: Unlike at the weekend, Gerrard’s free kick goes straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.

They could do with an inspirational moment from their captain right now.

Gerrard plays through Balotelli.

The Italian finishes well, but he’s correctly ruled offside.

90 mins: Hamoudi is replaced by Zuffi.

As the game enters stoppage time, Liverpool need a miracle.

FULL-TIME: BASEL 1-0 LIVERPOOL

So full-time, and Liverpool lose a game that, in truth, they didn’t really deserve to get anything from.

They showed very little in attack prior to the goal, and only came alive once they were on the backfoot.

The fact that a player as talented as Sterling had such a poor game on an important night is a deeply worrying sign for the Reds.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and we’ll have more reaction to come on the site shortly.

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