Pre-Match: FC Basel v Liverpool Weds 1st Oct 7:45 KO

Maybe Rodgers is losing it too and making some really bad decisions.

Like playing Skrtel ahead of Sakho next to Lovren which is clearly the more solid pairing?

Like playing Skrtel ahead of Sakho next to Lovren which is clearly the more solid pairing?

How is it clearly better with Sakho and Lovren, compared to Skrtel and Lovren?

How is it clearly better with Sakho and Lovren, compared to Skrtel and Lovren?

It isn't. I'm saying Skrtel and Lovren is the better pairing.

Sturridge didn't recover in time for this game, and Sakho has stayed in Liverpool after his outburst at the weekend.

I'd go with:

Mignolet

Manquillo
Skrtel
Lovren
Enrique

Gerrard (c)
Henderson

Markovic
Coutinho
Sterling

Balotelli

Subs: Jones; Toure, Moreno; Lucas; Suso; Lambert, Borini.

Still think we have enough to win this, sticking with my prediction of 1-0 with Balotelli scoring the goal.

Although he and Jordan Williams are with the senior squad I'd imagine they're going to be playing with the u19's who also play Basel tomorrow in the EUFA Youth Cup.

Thanks for the head's up Debs, to my shame I must admit I don't follow our youth as much as I should, unlike your good self of course.
Would like to think tho' there is an outside chance of him being thrown into the fray.

How is it clearly better with Sakho and Lovren, compared to Skrtel and Lovren?

To be fair, this is a really good headache and it seems to generally split fans down the middle as to who our best CB pairing is. General consensus is Lovren with either Skrtl or Sakho. I personally think Sakho is the more naturally gifted of the two. He can pass the ball out and he is more physical. But Skrtl is more consistent and a better tackler. I would probably be happy with either...though seeing as Sakho threw his toys out of the pram, he won't be starting just yet.

We have a lot more problems up front. I really hope Balo gets going. We know he can and we know he is gifted enough. Some have had a go at him with his start so far, but I actually think he's done well. He has looked threatening, he's been direct and he's changed his game to track back a lot more. But...he's gotta take his chances. Tonight will be his night, I can feel it in my loins.

Intriguing game and one that could go a long way to decide who qualifies from the group

Mignolet

Manquillo Skrtel Lovern Enrique

   Gerrard Hendo Lucas

              Lallana

      Sterling   Lambert

Jones, Sakho, Moreno, Suso, Coutinho, Balotelli, Sturridge

Intriguing game and one that could go a long way to decide who qualifies from the group

Mignolet

Manquillo Skrtel Lovern Enrique

   Gerrard Hendo Lucas

              Lallana

      Sterling   Lambert

Jones, Sakho, Moreno, Suso, Coutinho, Balotelli, Sturridge

Doesn't effect your main selection Brian BUT Sturridge and Sakho have stayed at home mate.

Danny still not even making the bench, doesn't fill me with confidence as I can't see us not conceding, Balotelli really needs to step up.

I remember the Basel game in November 2002 vividly. Fingers crossed for a better performance, though Basel are a much much better team than 12 years ago. Only in the last few years have they re-emerged.

Danny still not even making the bench, doesn't fill me with confidence as I can't see us not conceding, Balotelli really needs to step up.

Balotelli needs much more time to adapt - there were moments when he should have passed into channels like Rodgers Liverpool has always done, but passed back on tried to take them on.

Once he learns the dynamics of the team, he should come good, but to have him a solo striker is ineffective when he isn't used to leading the line in this team - he still needs a lot of help, so having a second striker can benefit him.

Not particularly confident about tomorrow.  Still think that Basel would be favourites for second (not a massive surprise considering they were the second seeds in the group).

I'd snatch your hand off right now for a nil nil.

Not particularly confident about tomorrow.  Still think that Basel would be favourites for second (not a massive surprise considering they were the second seeds in the group).

I'd snatch your hand off right now for a nil nil.

I just hope we have a bit of arrogance and confidence about our play otherwise it won't be pretty.

I'd be happy with a point..
We're gonna have to sit deep whether we like or not.
They're at home and a decent side who will attack us.
We need EVERYONE to be on blob tomorrow night and sit tight as a unit like we've always done away in Europe....

although.....


This could be Balotelli's moment he steps up and slots in the winner in a boring 1-0 win....
We'll need him and his European experience to play his holding game..


That'll do me thanks..

I don't mind if the manager has one eye on the game at the weekend with West Brom. It is more important for me that we win that game than this one  so with that in mind I would not be averse to a little bit of rotation.

Who are their danger men?.. any familiar names we know of?...

Have to agree with most, we'll do well to get anything out of this game. They are no mugs that's for sure, and we aint really got going yet, except against the spuds. A performance like that will do nicely, but in reality, I'd take a draw right now.
Hoping we'll nick it towards the end, so my heart says 1-0 to us but my head says 1-1

I'm always going to hope for a win but I'd be happy with a point. Of course if we are up with 80 mins gone, that will change!

Need to go 'old school' euro football here. Keep it tight at the back, concede nothing and if we can nick a goal, fantastic

Who are their danger men?.. any familiar names we know of?...

Philipp Degen



Danger man - Marco Streller.

Last season they beat Valencia 3-0 at home in the QF of the EL but lost 2nd leg 3-0. Had 2 sent off in ET and conceded another 2 in ET to lose 5-3 on agg.

Basel beat Chelsea twice in 2013/14. Knocked out Zenit and Spurs in the EL in 2012/13.

In 2011/12 they had home wins against Man Utd and Bayern Munich.

This game ought to suit Balotelli more than the Premiership has to be fair. Here, we'll WANT him to play with his back to goal, hold it up, be strong etc. the last thing we'll need if we're under the cosh is him spinning and bombing into channels all night.

No, this game really ought to suit Mario. Can't say I'm massively confident though all the same.

This game ought to suit Balotelli more than the Premiership has to be fair. Here, we'll WANT him to play with his back to goal, hold it up, be strong etc. the last thing we'll need if we're under the cosh is him spinning and bombing into channels all night.

No, this game really ought to suit Mario. Can't say I'm massively confident though all the same.

Very true Mick on both counts, this could be the making of Mario but he will need a guaranteed link to take advantage of his set up, it is to be hoped Basel do not mark him or Sterling out of the game.
An early goal would be manna from heaven but our form lately has been anything but heaven sent.

Given the fact that city couldn't score a goal last night from open play at home then we're not actually that far off winning the thing.