Carlo Ancelotti Predicts Liverpool Failure Against Basel in Champions League

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has predicted Liverpool will fail to beat Basel during the final round of Champions League group fixtures, thus dropping out of the competition.

Brendan Rodgers' men face a win-or-bust night at Anfield on Dec. 9. The English side know only victory will see them through to the knockout stages, with Basel two points ahead of the Reds prior to Matchday 6.

Ancelotti, who has seen his side put together five straight victories heading into the final group match, believes the Swiss outfit have enough to get the job done on Merseyside, as reported by Chris Waugh of the Daily Mail:

"

They're (Basel) in better shape than Liverpool at the moment, they are in very good physical condition. At this moment Basel have a slight advantage. They caused us some problems in the second part (of Madrid's 1-0 win on Wednesday). We fought hard and that's why we won.

"

Michael Steele/Getty Images

While Cristiano Ronaldo notched his 71st Champions League goal to equal previous record holder Raul's overall tally—three behind Lionel Messi—both Basel and Ludogorets will be thinking they have missed an opportunity to place Liverpool under even greater pressure.

As noted by Ancelotti, the Swiss side could have taken something from their game with Los Blancos. Paulo Sousa's team hit the target just four times from 18 shots, as reported by WhoScored.com, with Madrid posting the same accuracy from just eight attempts.

In any case, Ronaldo's goal provides Liverpool with a better chance of progressing.

Had Basel managed a draw, Liverpool would have needed to beat them by two clear goals in front of the Kop, while a Basel victory over Madrid would have ended the English side's hopes of making it through.

Ludogorets, who conceded an avoidable late winner during their trip to Anfield, also missed an opportunity to crush the English side's hopes.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Dani Abalo's strike during Wednesday's 2-2 draw between Ludogorets and Liverpool put the underdogs ahead, before Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson responded for Liverpool. Ludogorets' defending for the first goal was extremely poor and provided Liverpool with a way back into the match. Georgi Terziev's equaliser two minutes from time only highlighted that Rodgers' team were ripe for the taking.

The reaction of midfielder Mihail Alexandrov said it all after the game, as Ludogorets can simultaneously be proud of their achievement and disappointed they didn't take the win. UEFA.com provided Alexandrov's quotes:

"

We conceded two goals from nothing. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry after such a game. We did well, we created a lot of chances, but unfortunately we did not manage to convert them. We will go to Madrid and try to win, but we know only too well that it will be very, very difficult.

"

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Basel will regret the 1-0 loss to Ludogorets if they fail to get through. Sousa's men have proven inconsistent, but they have shown enough quality to suggest Liverpool are in for a nervy night at Anfield.

Whether Rodgers' team progress or not, former Reds striker Stan Collymore believes significant investment is needed in January, as told to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Liverpool certainly need to quickly improve. They face Premier League ties with Stoke, Leicester and Sunderland before the showdown with Basel—three matches which should yield nine points.

Rodgers was "very, very pleased" with the side's performance in Bulgaria, as reported by Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC, but this perhaps serves as a marker of limited expectations in recent times. Palmer offered his thoughts on the Northern Irishman's post-match comments:

Alex Shaw of ESPN FC followed suit:

If Liverpool win against Basel, the reality of the situation is that the trials and tribulations of their group stage cease to matter. Qualification will provide everyone with a lift if the team doesn't beforehand. Ancelotti is a straight shooter and is likely to be among many who believe Basel can cause a major upset, though.

Liverpool have enjoyed some special European nights at home over the years. The way this one is shaping up, another memorable encounter is likely to enter the history books, no matter the result.