Liverpool suffer humbling defeat at Basel

Liverpool endured another shot-shy night in front of goal as their Champions League hopes were dealt a hefty blow in a 1-0 defeat at Basel.

The Reds have continually struggled to reach the free-scoring heights of last season - and this match was no different as their toothless attack could not get their leaky defence out of jail after another set piece error allowed Marco Streller to stab home the only goal of the game.

Brendan Rodgers' side failed to carve out clear-cut openings throughout a disappointing all-round display and they could have suffered a bigger margin of defeat if Streller and the impressive Serey Die had made the most of first-half opportunities.

The result means Liverpool have now dropped to third in the group behind Basel and Real Madrid ahead of back-to-back clashes with the table-topping holders. It makes for bleak reading for Reds fans who will be desperate to see the return of the injured Daniel Sturridge sooner rather than later as last season's Premier League runners-up look to avert a mini crisis.

PRE-MATCH - Coutinho returns. Liverpool make two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home to Everton in Saturday's Merseyside derby with Philippe Coutinho and Jose Enrique coming in. Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno drop to the bench.

13' - BASEL CHANCE! Gerrard has his pocket picked deep in Liverpool territory and Basel go for the jugular. Streller makes space in the area but sees his low attempt back across goal brilliantly blocked.

34' - BASEL CHANCE! Mignolet does well to deny Serey Die after the midfielder exchanged a one-two and outfoxed two Liverpool challenges in the area before stabbing a low shot at goal.

50' - PENALTY APPEAL! Gonzalez is left free on the right of the area and as Sterling attempts to get back he has his hands all over the Basel man's back. He goes down but the referee says no - but it was a very good shout...

51' - GOOD SAVE! Mignolet gets down well to beat away Hamoudi's low drive from the left.

52' - GOAL! BASEL 1-0 LIVERPOOL! Streller reacts quickest to hammer home the rebound after Mignolet had palmed out Skrtel's deflected header off Lovren. Liverpool concede from yet another set piece this season.

61' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Balotelli crashes a 40-yard free kick at goal that the keeper can only fumble out to Markovic whose follow up is brilliantly blocked.

Martin Skrtel made his 250th appearance for Liverpool.

Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in their last 18 games in all competitions.

Liverpool lose for the first time in 10 meetings with Swiss opposition.

This was the first time Liverpool have failed to score in 11 meetings with Swiss sides.

Basel have won each of their last four Champions League games against English sides.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Will Sturridge's return spark Liverpool into life? The loss of Suarez was unavoidable and while anyone would miss the Uruguayan's talents, Liverpool's drop in form and their lack of attacking prowess has been alarming. Much is being made of the much-anticipated return of Sturridge, but it seems to be a deeper problem in terms of the side's inability to create opportunities. It's early days, but Balotelli's style doesn't appear to fit with Rodgers' philosophy and the Reds need to find an answer to their scoring conundrum soon or they will be struggling to make an impact both at home and abroad.

Serey Die (Basel). An energetic, all-action display from the midfielder who could easily have capped the night with a goal of his own.

BASEL: Vaclik 6, Schar 7, Suchy 7, Safari 5, Serey Die 8, Frei.F 7, Hamoudi 7, Elneny 6, Xhaka 6, Streller 7, Embolo 7. Subs: Gonzalez 6, Zuffi n/a, Calla 5.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 5, Manquillo 5, Lovren 5, Skrtel 5, Enrique 5, Gerrard 6, Henderson 6, Coutinho 5, Sterling 5, Markovic 5, Balotelli 5. Subs: Lallana 5, Lambert 5.