Brendan Rodgers calls for Liverpool focus

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has urged his side and their supporters to be patient in their crunch Champions League match against Basel.

The Reds need to beat Basel to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, but feels that his team can't afford to let their nerves get the better of them at Anfield, where they have struggled to find the net this season.

"We don't have to win the game in the first minute, that is the key for us – European football is technical, tactical, so we need to be patient," Rodgers told reporters.

"We have 90 minutes to win the game, and we are a side who are used to the technical game. So we have to show that patience and if we retain our focus then I believe we will have a great chance.

"There is certainly no lack of commitment in the players here. We have been learning, and we go into the game in a far better position and mindset than we were when we lost in Basel. If we get the patience from the team and from our great supporters it will allow us to go on and get the result we want."

Rodgers's side have taken four points from their first five matches in Group B.