It wasn't to be. So close, so far and whatever other clichés you can think of. In truth Liverpool didn't deserve to go through tonight, or over the the Champions League campaign as a whole, but that didn't stop the possibility that we might be treated to another one of those Anfield nights.
Unlike against Olympiacos in 2004 we now have Twitter to see what the world thought of the action, because that's always what we need.
The was the first half was dire and people was angry and even longed for Neil Mellor.
Absolutely disgusted by #LFC in the first half. Rodgers has work to do in sorting these lot out #LFCvsFCBasel
— Mo Farooq (@MoFarooq9) December 9, 2014
Rodgers want for Creativity has taken a U-Turn this Season! This is a Huge 45! I'd bring on @NeilMellor33 & @sinamapongolle4 | #LFCvsFCBasel — Mark Roberts (@marktheroberts) December 9, 2014
17 - Simon Mignolet (22) had more touches in the first half than Rickie Lambert (17). Periphery.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2014
Then came the half time substitutes and things got worse.
#LFCvsFCBasel Two changes at half time but still cant cover up the blatant flaws in Liverpools defence — Patrick Mannix (@Patrick_Mannix) December 9, 2014
Can you sack a manager at half time? #LFCvsFCBasel
— James Serafinowicz (@flidby) December 9, 2014
Then Lazar Markovic actually started to do something and interest was piqued.
Lazar Markovic looked so good so often last season for Benfica...it's time buddy, stage is set for you time to deliver something — Donnacha McCormack (@dunta90) December 9, 2014
Markovic is playing like a man on a mission here, you could say *takes off sunglasses* It's a Lazar quest
— KC (@KClarke88) December 9, 2014
Until...
Lazar Markovic delivers the eye poke ... C-c-c-courtesy of, c-c-c-Captain Insano. Captain Insano shows no mercy. pic.twitter.com/aWjZlgF5xq — Jamie Wall (@Jamwall7) December 9, 2014
Jamie Carragher did his best to sum up how bad things were and managed to offend an old teammate at the same time.
Thought the night couldn't get any worse but it has, Phillip Degen is now warming up in front of me.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 9, 2014
Over on ITV Andy Townsend was doing his best to become the Andy Gray of 2014.
Andy Townsend's neutral commentary highlights! #LFCvsFCBasel https://t.co/vzyjKrb7hh — Paul Garbett (@paulgarbett) December 9, 2014
Twitter then descended into one big long drawn out Gerrard.
But it wasn't to be. Then the hard hitting analysis started.
Even so, Markovic was probably still the Reds’ best player on the night.
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) December 9, 2014
At least getting knocked out of this year's Champions League allows Liverpool to concentrate on qualifying for next year's Champions League
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 9, 2014
Basle been excellent tonight.Liverpool outplayed for 70 minutes.Team showed character when down to 10,but character only gets you that far.
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) December 9, 2014
Brendan Rodgers' face looks like I'm always looking through a fisheye lens door peephole at him.
— Kevin Kelly (@kevinkelly14) December 9, 2014
Thoughts turned to what would come next.
Steven Gerrard thinks of the Europa League http://t.co/eqwbuDEPWX pic.twitter.com/G40gngWZRE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 9, 2014
It never rains, but f*cking pours, Liverpool now through to the Europa League... pic.twitter.com/aXJwAbQmGM
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 9, 2014
Suppose the moaning bout the Europa League will start now as if this current #LFC side is too good for it.
— Paul Little (@little_football) December 9, 2014
That lead to quite a few thinking back to former glories.
Gerrard heroics papering over not cracks but chasms. Remain a fan of BR but I'm saying it, bring back our manager LFC pic.twitter.com/3b6UzhfsA9
— Donnacha McCormack (@dunta90) December 9, 2014
If you had to choose between Rafa and Rodgers right now, how would you pay for Rafa's plane ticket, cash or card?
— kolo (@LFCTalkOfficial) December 9, 2014
At least Roger Federer was happy though.
Heartrate is coming down slowly after this nailbiter ????, thanks @FC_Basel for the emotions! Off to bed now, absolutly #exhausted — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) December 9, 2014
