Steven Gerrard’s brilliant late free-kick was not enough to rescue 10-man Liverpool as they were sent crashing out of the Champions League a...
Steven Gerrard’s brilliant late free-kick was not enough to rescue 10-man Liverpool as they were sent crashing out of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw with Basel.
Knowing only victory would be enough to see them finish second in Group B, Liverpool started slowly at Anfield and fell behind when Fabian Frei fired into the bottom corner after 25 minutes.
The hosts’ task was made even harder when half-time substitute Lazar Markovic was harshly sent off on the hour mark for catching Behrang Safari in the face with his hand.
But Gerrard gave Liverpool a lifeline with 10 minutes to go when he curled in a fine free-kick off the post.
The goal sparked the Reds into life and they threw everything at Basel in the closing stages, with Jordan Henderson twice going close to scoring.
However, there were no late Champions League heroics as Basel held on to book their place in the last 16 and relegate Liverpool to the Europa League.
Aaron Ramsey scored one of the goals of the season as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 Champions League victory at Galatasaray.
Lukas Podolski got the Gunners, who finished second in Group D despite the big win, off to a flying start in Istanbul with a thumping strike in the third minute, before Ramsey doubled his side’s advantage just eight minutes later.
The hosts had been blown away by Arsene Wenger’s side’s clinical performance and they were left shell-shocked when Ramsey produced a stunning volley from 30-yards to give his side a 3-0 lead going into the break.
Wesley Sneijder pulled one back for the hosts late in the game but it was Arsenal who had the final say as Podolski picked up his second to seal a comprehensive European win.
Monaco and Juventus secured their places in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night, while Real Madrid make it six wins from six games.
Monaco sneaked into top spot in Group C with a 2-0 home victory over Zenit St Petersburg.
Defenders Aymen Abdennour and Fabinho claimed the vital second-half goals as Monaco overhauled Bayer Leverkusen into top spot.
Leverkusen were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Benfica, and their inability to secure victory gifted Monaco first place in the group.
Olympiakos eased past Malmo 4-2 in Greece, but their comfortable victory was not enough to secure a last-16 spot.
Juventus secured second place in Group A with a goalless draw against pool winners Atletico Madrid.
David Fuster, Alejandro Dominguez, Kostas Mitroglou and Ibrahim Afellay claimed the crucial strikes for Olympiacos, with Simon Kroon and captain Markus Rosenberg hitting back for the visitors.
Malmo's Enock Adu was sent off for a second yellow card in the closing stages, but by then the hosts had already secured their win.
Atletico rode their luck in shutting out Juventus in Italy, but the hosts' point secured their safe passage to the next round, at Olympiacos' expense.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, won 4-0 against Ludogorets to make it six wins from six matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Real's charge, scoring from the penalty spot, before Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa and Alvaro Medran completed proceedings.
Marcelinho's 20th minute red card gifted Real their opener from the spot, with Ronaldo surpassing Raul's 71-goal Champions League haul.
Madrid set a new Spanish record of 19 consecutive victories with their routine triumph.
