Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has revealed that Liverpool were too negative in their approach against FC Basel which ultimately cost them a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers’ men needed to win in order to pip Basel to a second place finish behind Real Madrid but failed to do so, despite the mid-group stage odds being in favour of them
Rodgers went with Rickie lambert and Raheem sterling up front but dropped Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana. The move proved to be a dud as Liverpool started the game really slow and were second best in the 1st half. Neville said, “Last season I felt he (Rodgers) had a confidence about him, and would pick attacking, positive teams. His selection on Tuesday was nothing like that.
“Liverpool needed to blast Basel out of the way. Instead, Rodgers left Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho on the bench.
“It was a game he needed to win and yet he picked a midfield of Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva – all solid players but more than two from those three and the side feels defensive.
“At half-time he brought on a left-back, Alberto Moreno, and a winger, Lazar Markovic, who has done very little for him so far.
“Then when he did bring on Coutinho, a No 10 to his boots – he even wears the number – he played the Brazilian in central midfield,” he added.
Markovic’s arrival immediately added a little bit of urgency up front but it was short lived as he was sent off for a flaying arm in the 61st minute which made it really hard of Liverpool as they had to play 30 minutes with 10 men.
Captain Steven Gerrard’s free kick at the end turned out to be a consolation as his side crashed out. Liverpool looked like a different team in the last 15 minutes as they suddenly started to show a bit of character, but it simply came too late which raised even more questions on why Rodgers did not start with the likes of Coutinho, Markovic or Lallana ahead of Lucas and Joe Allen who looked poor in the midfield.
Rodgers has the chance to redeem himself as his side will take on arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday, a game that they comfortably won last time. However, United are the clear favourites this time as Liverpool have not been the same without the departed Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who is out injured.