US: 2:45 PM-Fox Sports 1
UK: 7:45 PM-ITV1
Anfield will be rocking tomorrow night as the Reds look to hammer themselves into the knockout phase of the Champions League, but know only a win will get them through, and a loss or draw would see the Swiss side go through.
Brendan Rodgers has called for his side to "stay calm", and has urged his charges to feed off of a sold out Anfield stadium, as, on nights like this, The Kop tends to be a living, breathing, otherworldy animal. Despite this, Brendan feels that his side can show composure as well, which they'll have to have in order to progress.
The spotlight undoubtedly will be on Steven Gerrard, as everyone must remember that wonder goal against Olympiacos in 2004, when the Reds were in a similar situation, and went on to win the European Cup. In the advanced number ten role he's played, he's found a new lease of life, and was brilliant against Leicester, stepping up and scoring the second Liverpool goal as we went out 3-1 winners, but wasn't able to help break the deadlock at the weekend as a late substitute.
There are no new injury concerns. Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan and Suso all remain out, while Mario Balotelli is also still struggling with his groin problem.
Raheem Sterling turns 20 today, and has been back in form after a bad patch in November, which coincided with the whole team's general dip in form. But what better way to celebrate your birthday than a man of the match performance, which we will need from him tomorrow?
Don't be surprised to see Dejan Lovren in defense tomorrow, as Kolo Toure has had a long run of games and will be needed for the massive game at the weekend with Man United, so the Ivorian could indeed be rested in order to be ready.
Lucas has also had a renaissance of late, performing well in the holding role. He's likely to reprise that role in this match, and could be joined by Emre Can, allowing Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling to push forward. Coutinho could start, but as with Kolo, may be rested ahead of the weekend.
Phillipp Degen, once a Liverpool right back, is now plying his trade with Basel. He'll likely make his return to Anfield and will hope to do a job, paired with a solid young center half in Fabian Schar, Basel's defense was miserly in the against the Reds in Switzerland, a match which ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
Marco Streller scored the winning goal in that match, and despite being 33, he's still a big, powerful #9 type center forward, not unlike what Liverpool will look for from Rickie Lambert, as Fabio Borini seems to be all but out in the cold, even following decent performances in the League Cup and at the Bernabeau on Matchday four of the Champions League..
One thing we must remember going into this game is that Basel have been here before, they've gotten a few scalps against Spurs and Chelsea, and even us. They're no stranger to this situation, so we have to be careful.
-Other Thoughts
-Patience is key. Don't force things. Let the game come to you. This is something we didn't do against Sunderland, and we paid for it. (Johnathan)
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