Five-time winner liverpool and the champions of England are among the 11 teams competing for five remaining spots in the knockout stage of the Champions league going into the final round of group games. liverpool has been a let-down on its return to Europe's top competition after a five-year absence, but can still qualify as runner-up behind Real Madrid in Group B by beating FC Basel at Anfield on Tuesday. That is one of three direct deciders for places in the last 16, with the most high-profile coming in the Italian capital where Roma hosts English champion Manchester City for second place in Group E on Wednesday. First place — and a possibly easier last-16 game — is up for grabs in four of the eight groups while eight teams will drop into the Europa league by finishing in third place.
lIVERPOOl'S CHAllENGE
Given its record against English clubs in the Champions league, Basel is one of the last teams liverpool would have wanted to face in a must-win game. Basel has won its last four games against Premier league opposition in the competition - against liverpool in their second group game in October, home and away against Chelsea last season and at home to Manchester United in 2011 to knock out the then-English champion. Basel has lost just once in nine games against teams from England in the Champions league. liverpool produced a string of great performances at home last season on its way to a second-place finish in the Premier league, but its attacking spark has disappeared with the departure of luis Suarez to Barcelona and an injury to fellow striker Daniel Sturridge. A disappointing ninth in the Premier league, liverpool's only points in the Champions league this season have come against Bulgarian team ludogorets Razgrad.
liverpool will look to captain Steven Gerrard (in pic) to rise to the big occasion again — just like he did exactly 10 years ago in one of his defining moments in the famous red shirt.
In 2004, Gerrard scored a brilliant long-range goal in the final minutes to seal a 3-1 victory over Olympiakos in their final group game — securing a two-goal winning margin that put liverpool through. The English club went on to win the Champions league that season.
CITY'S PROBlEMS
Manchester City could be without arguably its best four players as it goes to Rome in search of a win the team requires to qualify.
Star midfielder Yaya Toure is suspended, top scorer Sergio Aguero is out with a serious-looking knee injury sustained on Saturday, while playmaker David Silva and captain Vincent Kompany are major injury doubts. City is back in form, winning its last five matches in all competitions, but has never won in Italy. Roma is level on points with City and CSKA Moscow, which plays first-place Bayern Munich away. Roma will qualify with a win.
WINNER TAKES All
It is winner takes all when Monaco hosts Zenit - with first place in Group C on offer for either club if Bayer leverkusen loses at Benfica. Monaco will also qualify with a draw.