Paulo Sousa hails "perfect" Basel

Basel coach Paulo Sousa has claimed that his side played 'perfectly' during their vital 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League.

The Swiss team reached the last 16 of the competition on Tuesday night, earning a point at Anfield to put them through as runners-up in Group B.

Basel finished their group campaign with a total of seven points, while runaway winners Real Madrid ended on 18 points thanks to a 100% record of six consecutive victories.

"It is never easy to beat Liverpool – they are a historic club with top-class players and a brilliant coach," Sousa told UEFA.com. "Our gameplan was perfect. Coming here to Anfield and showing the personality in our game.

"I'm more proud of my team for the way they expressed themselves, the intensity they showed on the pitch, their belief and ability to make the right decisions."

Basel failed to get past the group phase in last season's Champions League.