We’ll bounce back from Basle blow, vows boss

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has pledged to fight to make the rest of the season a success after the blow of an early Champions League exit.

The 1-1 draw in a must-win match at home to Basle meant the Reds’ return to Europe’s elite after a five-year absence amounted to just six matches.

Just one win and two draws highlighted their deficiencies, and while going out at the group stage is undoubtedly a setback, retaining Champions League involvement next season rather than progress in it this was Rodgers’ primary aim at the start of the campaign.