Liverpool vs. Basel: Goals, Highlights from Champions League Match

Liverpool went into their Champions League group-stage encounter with Basel on Tuesday knowing that only a win would be good enough to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.

Things didn't go to plan for the Reds, however, as the Swiss visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute. 

Midfielder Fabian Frei passed the ball to Luca Zuffi on the edge of the area, who duly returned it for Frei to hit an excellent low drive into the bottom-right corner.

Despite a brighter start to the second half, things went from bad to worse for the Reds around the hour mark when second-half substitute Lazar Markovic was sent off for apparently striking Behrang Safari in the face.

Upon closer inspection, Markovic appeared to make little contact, but he certainly did raise his arm in the direction of his opponent's face.  

"

RED! Lazar Markovic! https://t.co/hdmulS5O8f #UCL #livbas

— GoalsAndMore (@GoalsAndMore) December 9, 2014"

In the 72nd minute, Steven Gerrard appeared to have a decent penalty claim. 

However, the spot kick wasn't given, and Gerrard was left to wonder if this woeful pass might be his best contribution of the evening.

Yet that pass was very quickly forgotten by the 81st minute, when the Reds captain fired in an absolutely unstoppable free kick. 

"

What a ball by Steven Gerrard https://t.co/eXYsXalyxF

— BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) December 9, 2014"

"

Stevie goal. What a goal.... https://t.co/ZrreNOLDYz

— MostarLFC (@MostarLFC) December 9, 2014"

It was also a landmark goal for the 34-year-old.

"

GOLAAAAAZOOOOO DE STEVEN GERRARD!!!! 1-1 https://t.co/1Qpzjt8998

— Ale Padín (@alepadin) December 9, 2014"

"

That was Gerrard's 100th goal at Anfield. Legend.

— The Liverpool Way (@AdamLovlallana) December 9, 2014"

Alas, the wonder strike and a late surge was not enough for Liverpool, who crashed out of the competition at the expense of their Swiss opponents when the match finished 1-1.