Liverpool's Champions League campaign ends

Liverpool's campaign ended in a 1-1 draw against FC Basel which was not good enough to see them through.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (L) consoles a sad Jordan Henderson after the team's exit from the Uefa Champions League on 9 December 2014. Picture: LFC on Facebook.

Reuters | 2550 days ago

LIVERPOOL/ISTANBUL - Liverpool's Champions League challenge ended in a 1-1 draw against FC Basel, who booked their spot in the last 16 on Tuesday after withstanding a late fightback sparked by a stunning Steven Gerrard free kick.

Gerrard curled the ball into the top corner with eight minutes remaining to cancel out Fabian Frei's rasping first-half drive, but the Premier League side, who had been reduced to 10 men following the second half sending off of Lazar Markovic, could not find the crucial winner.

Barring their late flurry, it was a largely a dismal home performance from Liverpool who finished third in Group B on five points, two adrift of second place Basel.

Liverpool, whose poor start to the season shows no sign of improving, will now drop into the less demanding Europa League.

RAMSEY BLASTS HOME A STUNNER

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored a contender for goal of the season when he blasted home a 30-metre volley to help his team cruise past Galatasaray 4-1 to finish second in Group D.

The Welsh international scored twice, as did Arsenal's Germany striker Lukas Podolski, whose opener, a brilliantly taken angled left-foot shot after three minutes, set them on the way to an easy win over the already-eliminated hosts.

Arsenal had to win and hope Dortmund lost at home to Anderlecht to finish top of the group but the German side drew, meaning the Londoners needed to have triumphed by six goals.

Dortmund and Arsenal both finished with 13 points but the German side took top spot with a better goal difference leaving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to praise his side's performance on the night.

"Unfortunately it wasn't enough but we finished with 13 points and did a job tonight. We came out strong and that's what I wanted from the players. This group has a good dynamic and they showed that from the start."