Summary

  • Liverpool fail to reach knockout stage

  • Reds go into Europa League

  • Gerrard scores sublime free-kick

  • Substitute Markovic shown straight red

  1. And with the scissorkick is victoriouspublished at 19:02 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Peter CrouchImage source, PA

    As we reminisce about a particular European night at Anfield, another one crops up on Uefa's list of the best goals scored in the last 60 years.

    Not Steven Gerrard, or Michael Owen, or Kenny Dalglish, or John Toshack, or Kevin Keegan, or even Emile Heskey. But Peter Crouch has made the top 10.

    A brilliant bicycle kick against Galatasaray in 2006 makes the list.

    Enjoy all 10 here., external

  2. Elsewhere tonightpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Plenty still to play for in Group C, where three into two just won't go.

    Bayer Leverkusen are already into the last 16, but the Germans will be unseated from top spot if they lose to Benfica.

    Monaco and Zenit St Petersburg are taking on each other with the victor going through. The draw would give the French side a pass into the knockout stages.

    The lights are already up and the cleaner is sweeping up around the toes of the Group D teams. Arsenal and Dortmund are already through, Anderlecht are assured of a Europa League spot with only the seeding for the next stage of this season's Champions League to scrap for.

  3. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Chris Parker:, external Lambert's 4th start in 11 days with no other striker on the bench, no idea what Rodgers is thinking there

    Josh Jordan:, external I'd take Steve Finnan in at right back any day of the week over Johnson on current form!

  4. Elsewhere tonightpublished at 18:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Fernando LlorenteImage source, Reuters

    "Il Biscotto". Nope not something to be served up alongside your cappuccino. It is the Italian term used to describe two teams playing out a mutually beneficial result.

    Tonight, Atletico Madrid need only to avoid a two-goal defeat away to Juventus to be assured of winning Group A. Juve, under pressure from Olympiakos, need a point to be sure of second place.

    Will Juventus go for broke or biscotto?

  5. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Conor McNamara
    BBC Radio 5 live commentator in Istanbul

    Conor McNamara Galatasaray warm-up tweetImage source, BBC Sport

    Arsenal players take in their surroundings in Istanbul.

  6. Postpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    It's safe to report that this Liverpool team selection has not gone down too well with the majority of fans on social media. Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and Lucas in the same midfield?

  7. Postpublished at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft on Twitter:, external Plenty of experience in Liverpool starting XI, but is there enough pace?

  8. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    George Bagguley:, external Rodgers making rod for his own back not picking sub striker. Why he hasn't put Borini on bench is beyond me! Can nick a goal.

    Porl Thomas:, external In a game @LFC MUST win we are set up to not lose. No pace, no creativity and a new back four to unsettle us further. Fantastic

    Ben Storrie:, external Brendan Rodgers is showing a disturbing lack of faith in his new signings

  9. Postpublished at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield

    "Simple equation for Liverpool. Beat Basel and they progress in the Champions League - anything else and they are out. It is a wet and cold night at Anfield and all the early noise inside the stadium has come from the visiting Swiss fans but manager Brendan Rodgers will be hoping Liverpool's fans make it red hot for Basel at kick-off time."

  10. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    So Liverpool need a win to progress in the Champions League - again - and all eyes are on Steven Gerrard - again.

    Brendan Rodgers says the club shouldn't rely on their aging skipper to come up with the goods. But who can you rely on?

    Bryan RobsonImage source, Getty Images

    If a game came down to one moment, a late chance, a penalty, a decisive tackle, and you could choose one player from past or present, who would you nominate?

    Was Bryan Robson the man you wanted at the crunch moment? Didier Drogba the delivery man for big games? Alan Shearer the man for the crucial spot-kick? Fire away with your suggestions - and reasons why.

    Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

    You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

  11. 5 live sportpublished at 18:54 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live

    From 19:00, Mark Pougatch will have all the build-up to tonight's final Champions League group matches with reporters at both Anfield and Galatasaray.

  12. Text us on 81111published at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Scott in Warrington: I make that £105 million on the bench for Liverpool, and a lot less on the field. Doesn't really look promising for our January window, does it?

    Fuad in Sherborne: Why oh why isn't Moreno starting this match?!

  13. Postpublished at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Conor McNamara
    BBC radio 5 live commentator in Istanbul

    Galatasaray v ArsenalImage source, @ConorMcNamara

    "In position in Istanbul for Galatasaray v Arsenal commentary tonight on BBC Radio 5 live."

  14. What do Liverpool need?published at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Liverpool MUST WIN tonight. It's as simple as that.

    Take three points, and they will qualify as runners-up in Group B behind Real Madrid. They will be into the last 16 for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

    Draw, and they will be out, with Swiss opponents Basel going through instead. A draw would also likely put Liverpool into the Europa League. Thursday nights back at Anfield...?

  15. Team Newspublished at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Plenty of changes for Arsenal as they put out the second string. Hands up who can name the substitutes?

    Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin, Flamini, Ox, Ramsey, Campbell, Podolski, Sanogo. Subs: Martinez, O'Connor, Kamara, Maitland-Niles, Zelalem, Iwobi, Akpom

  16. Top of the group?published at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Arsene WengerImage source, Reuters

    Arsenal have already qualified for the last 16 - they always do - but there's still plenty to play for. A win in Turkey could yet see the Gunners top the group, and avoid the big, big fish in the next round.

    For full live text commentary of the Arsenal game, join Luke Reddy from 19:30 GMT.

  17. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Matthew Watson:, external Undoubtedly the worst #LFC back 4 I have ever seen

  18. Postpublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Liverpool may have only won one game in the Champions League this season, and may have only scored against Ludogorets, but their chances of qualifying remain in their own hands.

    In fact, it's a pretty simple equation facing Brendan Rodgers and his men tonight...

  19. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Dominic O'Caollai:, external What does Emre Can have to do to ever get a game for Liverpool? Looked really good and powerful vs both Spurs and Chelsea.

  20. Team newspublished at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2014

    Four changes for Liverpool as skipper Steven Gerrard, defender Jose Enrique, defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Joe Allen return. Kolo Toure is ruled out with groin injury. Also making way are Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.

    Former Liverpool defender Philipp Degen starts on the substitutes bench for Swiss champions Basel.

    Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Lovren, Skrtel, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Lambert.

    Basel XI: Vaclik, Xhaka, Schar, Suchy, Safari, Elneny, Frei, Zuffi, Gonzalez, Streller, Gashi.