Basel vs Liverpool preview - Sturridge sidelined for Basle clash

Posted Wednesday, October 01, 2014 by PA

Striker Daniel Sturridge is not yet fully recovered from a thigh problem and has not made the trip for Liverpool's Champions League match in Basle.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said defender Mamadou Sakho had sustained a thigh injury which will rule him out for two to three weeks.

Forward Lazar Markovic is available after serving a suspension in the Reds' opening game.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has denied there is unrest within the camp after a stuttering start to the season but admits he has warned Sakho about his behaviour.

The France defender is expected to be fined after storming out of Anfield ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby having discovered he was not in the squad.

Despite an impressive reputation at international level, Sakho has had an unconvincing start to his Liverpool career since arriving from Paris St Germain a year ago.

He lost his place to fit-again Martin Skrtel at West Ham just over a week ago and was unconvincing when recalled for the Capital One Cup tie against Middlesbrough, resulting in him being omitted entirely against Everton and provoking his fit of pique.

Rodgers has tackled the 24-year-old over his weekend strop, saying: "It is not something we expect from any of our players but we have spoken.

"He knows fully the situation, he apologised and we move on from it. His injury has come in a training session so it is unfortunate really.

"He just felt a pain in his thigh, he has had the scan on it and it shows he has a slight tear in there which will be two to three weeks."

Rodgers denied there was unhappiness in the camp after a disappointing start to the campaign which has seen his side win just four times in eight games - two of which were an added-time winner against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets and a marathon penalty shoot-out success over Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough.

"It is anything but that," he added. "Any of the players will tell you this is a group that is very much based on success and the behaviours within our team.

"We can understand that a player is not happy but it is very important that what we have achieved is down to the team.

"We are obviously working hard to consistently win games and I think we are seeing the early stages of all the players integrating and coming together.

"It will take a bit of time but it is never something which affects the team.

"The team is very happy in terms of the relations with each other and we aim to continue to simply work hard and gain positive results."

Liverpool return to the scene of one of their embarrassing Champions League exits as Basle's St Jakob Park was the venue in 2002 for their 3-3 draw - having been held 1-1 at home - which saw them exit the group stages.

Captain Steven Gerrard is the only survivor from that side but it is not an event about which he speaks much considering he suffered the ignominy of being replaced at half-time by Salif Diao of all people with the side 3-0 down.

Gerrard ranked it as one of the worst performances of his career - prompting then manager Gerard Houllier to publicly question whether the then burgeoning 22-year-old was believing his own hype - so no wonder no one has asked him for his recollections.

"I've not had that conversation with him," said midfielder Adam Lallana of Liverpool's defeat 12 years ago.

"It is great we have a role model like Stevie within the group: he's been there and done it before, lifted the trophy so his experience is invaluable for us."

Basle coach Paulo Sousa is looking for his side to "create a story" for his club by beating Liverpool.

In the last three years the Swiss side have defeated Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United in European competition, and adding Rodgers' Reds to that list would be an achievement to match those, according to the Portuguese.

"We could create a story tomorrow which will be remembered in the future," said Sousa, whose side have won seven of their first 10 Swiss Super League matches and himself is a back-to-back Champions League winner with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in 1996 and 1997.

"As a coach all the games are a real test. It is a fantastic moment for us, myself and the players and our club to enjoy but also to compete as we are looking to get results."