Despite losing three of first five matches, Liverpool still have a chance of reaching the next stage, although they obviously need to see off FC Basel at Anfield.

Meanwhile, the Swiss champions are aware even one point from this match will see them qualify and they will act accordingly.

While Liverpool enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in recent years last term, this season is proving to be a major disappointment for the club.

The Reds are already out of the title chase in the Premier League, sitting 15 points behind leaders Chelsea, and they have been well below par in the Champions League as well.

Liverpool could only take four points from five group matches and they are pretty fortunate to still be in contention for a place in the knockout stages.

The good news is they will qualify with a win over FC Basel, but I am not sure there is value in odds of 1.75 (3/4) offered on home win.

The hosts will have captain Steven Gerrard back to the side after he was rested in a goalless draw against Sunderland, but a number of important players continue to miss out.

Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Mamadou Sakho, Suso and Jon Flanagan are all unavailable, meaning there will be very little changes to the side that played at the weekend.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mignolet – Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Moreno – Gerrard, Henderson – Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling – Lambert.

Even if they rarely have big name players in the squad, FC Basel are regular in Champions League group stages and they usually surprise at least one or two top European sides.

Not so long ago, the Swiss giants pipped the then impressive Manchester United to a place in the knockout stages, while they also defeated Chelsea both home and away in last year’s competition.

FC Basel continued the excellent run against English sides by defeating Liverpool 1-0 at their St Jakob’s Park and they can now be backed at 2.15 (23/20) not to lose at Anfield.

Coach Paulo Sousa has received a welcoming boost as captain Marco Streller returned into action, but defender Ivan Ivanov remains a long-term casualty.

Ivorian footballers Serey Die and Giovanni Sio do not appear to be in the first team plans at the moment, whilst 17-year-old Breel Embolo is expected to start up front.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Vaclik – Degen, Schar, Suchy, Safari – El Nenny, F. Frei, Zuffi – Goznalez, Embolo, Gashi.