Basel vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Up, Key Man + Predicted Score

Liverpool are in Switzerland looking to make it successive Champions League victories when they take on FC Basel tonight.

The Reds returned to Europe’s elite competition with a narrow 2-1 win over Ludogorets at Anfield earlier this month, with Steven Gerrard scoring a stoppage time penalty to secure the three points.

The Merseysiders will need to put in a much-improved performance this evening if they want to come away with another win as Basel are a strong side at home and have a decent record against English opposition.

The Swiss champions beat Chelsea twice last season, including a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, but they started this campaign poorly with a 5-1 thrashing by Real Madrid so boss Paulo Sousa will be desperate to make amends tonight.

Team news

Liverpool will once again be without striker Daniel Sturridge as he has failed to recover from a thigh injury that’s kept him out for almost a month.

In his absence, Mario Balotelli is expected to continue up front and will be looking to get among the goals again having opened his account against Ludogorets.

Defender Mamadou Sakho has not travelled to Switzerland after picking up a thigh strain in training and is now likely to be on the sidelines for three weeks.

Lazar Markovic is available after serving his European ban, but Rodgers may opt to go with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana in attack.

Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan, Emre Can and Joe Allen are all still unavailable through injury.

Likely Line-Up

Key Man

Raheem Sterling: The England attacker has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players this season and the Reds will be looking to him for a threat in the final third with Sturridge unavailable. If they can get Sterling on the ball, he is certain to cause the hosts problems.

Predicted Score

Basel 1-2 Liverpool: The Swiss club are going to be a difficult opponent on home soil but even without Sturridge, I still think Liverpool have enough to nick this game by the odd goal.

What team would you put out and whats your predicted score?