Phil Thompson expects Liverpool progress in Champions League

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has backed the team to beat Basel and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Reds welcome the Swiss side to Anfield tonight knowing that they must pick up a victory to join Group B winners Real Madrid in the next round.

Liverpool are currently on a winless run of four games in the competition, but Thompson expects Brendan Rodgers's men to get the right result to progress.

"I think we will have enough," he is quoted as saying by Sporting Life. "It's going to be a nervy night but European nights at Anfield are just magnificent if you tap into it.

"It could absolutely be a turning point but it is so important how we play. We can't just go gung-ho, we need the intensity going forward but the attacking side of our game has to be balanced with discipline at the back."

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they face bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.