Crucial match for the Reds

Liverpool vs Basel, TEN Action; Juventus vs Atletico, TEN Sports; Galatasaray vs Arsenal, TEN HD (1.15 a.m., Wednesday)

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates his goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England, December 2, 2014.
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Liverpool’s stuttering season could come to be defined by Tuesday’s events at Anfield. Anything less than a win over Basel and Liverpool will be out of the UEFA Champions League.

It is a prospect that the club will dread. Yet, Brendan Rodgers will be thankful that his side’s future is in its own hands — even after a sole win in the group, a stumbling, last-gasp victory over Ludogorets.

“For us, we could not have wanted any more than to go to Anfield on Tuesday night needing to win the game to get qualified. It’s perfect,” he said.

Liverpool looked slow and laboured in its goalless draw with Sunderland at the weekend. Steven Gerrard, who was on the bench, gave the side a lift when he was brought on after 67 minutes. He will likely start against Basel.

The Swiss team has looked weaker than last season, when it finished a close third in a group featuring Chelsea and Schalke.

Basel is not invincible and Liverpool will turn to Gerrard and a typically uplifting Anfield night to see it through.