What went wrong for Liverpool?

Gerard Houllier's four-year anniversary in sole charge of the Anfield club will be remembered for everything that frustrates about his side.

Pre-season speculation had the Reds tipped for European glory and a successful challenge for the Premiership title.

But failure to produce the goods when it counts means that the Uefa Cup now beckons for Owen and co.

Do Liverpool have what it takes to win the League? What changes, if any, should Houllier make?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.

This Liverpool side is one of the most enigmatic I have seen for many years. I thought some of the teams put out under Roy Evans were frustrating, but at least they could turn on the style when it was needed. Once Houllier sold Litmannen, I lost my faith!
Mark, Ireland

In the first half Liverpool were clueless and there was no spirit or passion to their game. They lack any real creative sparks in midfield: whereas Basle had Hakin Liverpool had no-one, and that really became apparent in the first half.
Martin Feeney, England

Gerard Houllier has got to give players like Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, Salif Diao, Markus Babbel and Diouf more first team chances. These guys have delivered when needed.
Ravi Shankar Nayar, India

Creativeness is one major factor and playing Heskey on the left wing is still not working. Smicer should be used as a possible sub and not from the start. Houllier needs to shake his players up.
Martin Johnson, England

Put Gerrard in the reserves, get him some confidence and then bring him back in - simple eh?
Dafydd Charles, Lewes, England

Liverpool are extremely lacking wide players and playmakers. Their game has become too predictable and too defensive. I would like to see the acquisition of Damien Duff and Bret Emerton to solve this problem.
Ahmedelrahi, Nigeria

Liverpool lack the strength to exert extreme pressure on their opponents like they used to in the 70's and 80's. When under pressure, they tend to make many defensive mistakes and lack coordination.
Pmar Bajaber, Kenya

What Liverpool need is a creative midfield player. The front players will score goals and the back players will concede very little, but they need another link man. Houllier should make his next most important target a world-class midfield player.
Sean, UK

Dudes, the Reds need creativity and spark up front. Stick Baros and Diouf with Owen, and they'll be behind enemy lines every night out. Diouf is a master of deception and dribble, but he's not being given any time to adapt. Stop changing the team Gerard!
Fresh W, USA

Liverpool desperately lack width - everyone can see that except the manager. On the other hand, Houllier can at least see that Steven Gerrard has been playing very poorly. If only Mr Eriksson would recognise that and stop make him an automatic choice for England.
Mark Jones, UK

Maybe Houllier should go out and buy another no-name foreigner like Traore or Xavier, and get rid of some more home-grown players like Thompson and Wright.
Jagdeep Sandhu, UK/USA

Liverpool should stop playing defensively and trying to catch teams on the counter attack. In 2001 they won five trophies in six months playing attacking football. Last season they played the counter attacking game and won nothing - I can't believe Gerard Houllier hasn't realised this.

He should have kept Anelka and sold Heskey - Anelka will guarantee you more goals than Heskey. Carragher is better on the left side of defence, which gives Riise more chance to get forward.
Liverpoolles, England

Liverpool's first team defence is excellent, but if there is an injury the defence falls apart, as was shown in Tuesday's draw against Basle.
Prag Shah, England

Liverpool have an outstanding defence, mainly due to the defensive qualities of the midfield. They play the same way as England did in the World Cup. To be more successful I think they need to sacrifice Dietmar Hamann and bring in a quality attacking midfielder.

Also, they need better width in midfield. This, is my view would benefit them as they are sound in defence and a great strike force. So come on Houllier - we can all see this!
Paul, Scotland

Houllier hangs on to Carragher, thinks Traore is suitable cover for Henchoz and insists on playing Gerrard, despite him being totally offline. So what can we expect?
Frank, Reds fan, Belgium

Come on Gerard - take the handbrake off and let the reds run rampantly. Who needs the so-called Champions League anyway? You don't even need to be a champion to win it (do you Manchester?). Let Steven Gerrard boss the middle and let Didi clear up at the back. Heskey, prove your doubters wrong and live up to your potential. Now is the time.
Noona�io, England

Anyone suggesting that Houllier should be on his way is a fool. Liverpool were a shambles before he took over, and while there is more to be done, what he has achieved so far cannot be denied. He will definitely succeed in building a truly brilliant side - given time.
Steve, UK

Liverpool lack flair in midfield. When Gerrard is playing badly we don't have the creativity. We need a player like Veron to play alongside Gerrard.
Adam Flawn, England

I agree that Liverpool need an experienced and talented creative midfielder. But it is obvious that GH won't budge from the long ball tactic, as he had such a player in Litmanen and didn't use him. I think it's time for a new manager who will drop this kick-and-run style of football.
Jay, England

After watching Boro outplay Liverpool on Saturday, it was obvious that they were packing their defence and hoping to score on the break. This is not how champions play - in comparison to Arsenal they are a non-event.

I think the term boring Liverpool is appropriate. Liverpool need to get players out of their own half and attack teams using the strikers they have on their books. They appear to be so frightened of losing that their play is being stifled.
Benny Brown, Australia

I'm a Gooner but for once I'm in agreement with the Spurs fan. You can't expect to win every game by defending and then hitting them on the break with an all too infrequent attack.

Tight Champions League matches are often won through a moment of absolute brilliance. Liverpool are lacking that creative spark that can make something out of nothing and so are Celtic for that matter, it's hardly surprising that little Basle dumped both clubs out of Europe!

If I were Houllier I'd try and buy Joe Cole at Christmas. I think he'd inject that creativity that the boring Scousers have been lacking since the departure of the much under-used Jari Litmanen!
Graham, 'Norf London

Liverpool have a solid back four when Henchoz is fit and a wealth of attacking options, but they lack the kind of sexy midfield that world class teams like Real Madrid have. They have mettle in the middle but little creativity or flair. They need a Giggs or a Zidane; come to think of it they need both.
Mike, Turkey

The players seem happier to try to play the killer long ball rather than trying to build from the back. At one stage last night Hyppia had acres of space in front of him, he turned and passed to Dudek who walloped a high and handsome ball returning possession to Basle, who were more than happy to pass the ball amongst themselves. The moves we scored from came from good passing and movement.

Another problem for the team is the fact that Michael Owen is our only striker who will knock in 30 goals this season. Neither Baros nor Diouf, and certainly not Hesky, look like hitting the 20 goal mark this season. Our midfield is chipping in with goals, thank Christ Danny Murphy is having such a cracking season, but Owen seems to be our sole scoring threat up front.

We can grind out a result, but when we need to turn on the flair the team is less comfortable.
Simon, Ireland

As an ardent Manchester United fan, I couldn't help but smile at Liverpool's elimination from the Champions League last night. However, with regard to the question 'What did they lack?' - The answer is simply LUCK.

Yes, Liverpool were outplayed home and away by Valencia, but they destroyed Moscow and were the better team (even if measured on away goals) against Basel. They created enough chances; they hit the woodwork on numerous occasions. Unfortunately they just were unlucky.
Stephen, Manchester, England

Liverpool are the blandest team I have ever watched. They lack a creative midfielder(sold Litmanen), don't play Diouf and do not know how to run at teams down the flanks.

You've got Richie Partridge doing a great job at Coventry and not even a sniff at Liverpool. Traore was terrible and if Liverpool lose either Henchoz or Hyppia through injury they are frail at the back.
Nathaniel, Ireland

It always annoys me that people blow things out of proportion. Liverpool drew two games against a mediocre side. These things happen. The main reason Liverpool went out was because we were unable to get any points out of both the Valencia games.
Gareth, UK

This current Liverpool is not a patch on the great Liverpool of the '70s and '80s. They always play on the counter attack, are direct and are too negative to win the Champions League. They need to pass the ball better, retain possession and generally have more control of the game if they are to succeed.
Chris, UK

While Houllier continues to play Heskey out wide - they will continue to play bad! They have been lucky for most of this season - let's see how they get on now!
Karl, Wales

Houllier's persistence in playing Heskey is going to be his downfall. He doesn't score and I cannot remember his last goal scoring assist. I do not doubt his work rate but that will not win trophies. Also why has he dropped Baros?
Steve, UK

Liverpool miss Richie Partridge. How he hasn't made the breakthrough at Liverpool I'll never know, but is making great progress at Coventry.
Fergal, Ireland

Liverpool appear to be tactically naive in Europe. What they need is a striker who can hold up the ball and not be completely reliant on Michael Owen's pace on the counter attack.

This latest abortive attempt for the Champions League will cost Liverpool in additional revenues and if they fail to win the Premiership, then I think Houllier should go.
William, UK

The team had a bad day at the office which can happen to anyone (it happened to Man Utd and Arsenal a lot in their early years). I just hope they ignore the Uefa Cup and make the advantage count in the league.
Tim, UK

Get shot of Houllier and his school boy tactics. We have been lucky up to now in the league, but without new blood with passion to play for Liverpool then we will win nothing.
Paul, England

I saw plenty in the way we came back yesterday to convince me that we have the spirit needed to win major trophies. The reason I think we were three down in the first half was due to the makeshift back four we put out. Riise should never have been in defence and the game was too big for Traore.

Nevertheless, I have every faith in GH and believe we will win the Premiership this year. Even if we don't, at least we're now a major force in football compared to the no hopers that we were under Souness and Evans.
Michael Haddard, UK

Houllier knows what he needs. He knows that Liverpool lack the creativity that Arsenal has in abundance. Liverpool should go for Dennis Rommedhall of PSV and Basturk of Leverkusen, then they would look deadly.

Houllier got rid of Redknapp and he's doing fine now. He bought Diouf and he's nothing but disaster. They should send him back to Lens and buy Kezman. And I'm sure Anelka is laughing at Gerard now.

Unfortunately, they will miss out on the league as well, as Arsenal are too strong, so they will have to settle for the Worthington Cup. You have walked alone again.
Adetola Olukayode, Prague

Liverpool are simply not good enough. They have one of the best keepers in the world (Dudek), one of the best centre-backs (Hyppia), one of the best midfielders (Gerrard) and Michael Owen up-front, whose reputation speaks for itself.

But the rest of the team is made up of misfits who score and perform against teams like Southampton and Charlton, i.e. Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, and the most overrated player in the Premiership, Vladimir Smicer.

Houllier has got to sort out his tactics in Europe, it might work in the Premiership, but Champions League teams know how to sit back and stop boring long ball sides like Liverpool.
M Yates, England

Liverpool have approached the Champions League like most teams would approach the Worthington Cup. They appeared to have little drive and ambition, and were outplayed by a team who would not normally bother a standard First Division side, let alone the leaders of the Premiership.

Clearly Henchoz was badly missed last night, but this does not excuse their performances for the other three games!
Stevo, Wales

The one good thing about last night was seeing the much-maligned Smicer play his socks off. He's been rightly criticised in the past for lack of commitment, but wore the look of one possessed all night and played a blinder.
Alistair, Scotland

Liverpool aren't lacking anything. The beauty of this game is that so called smaller teams can take on the giants. Basle have beaten Celtic and drew with Valencia and Liverpool twice. You can't be lucky all the time so it goes without saying that they are a useful side.

The Liverpool game was a repeat of the Celtic game where Basle ran the first-half then Celtic pummelled them in the second-half but couldn't get that one vital goal. But good luck to them as they obviously deserve it.
Andy, Scotland

Liverpool have the character, ability and desire to win the league. Also, despite last night's defensive lapses they still have the most consistent defence in the league and consistent scorer in Michael Owen.

What their European performances proved this season is that they are not at the level of winning or contesting in the Champions League final. But neither are Arsenal or Man Utd. The Spanish teams and in particular Valencia are on a different level.

Liverpool's elimination gives them an advantage over Arsenal in the race for the title. Arsenal are the more attractive side but I believe their goalkeeper and defence will let them down a lot more over the course of the season than Liverpools. And when Man Utd come up against a top class European side this season they will be brutally exposed.
Dave, Ireland

Interesting that one injury to Henchoz is hailed as the main cause of Liverpoool's problems! Gerrard is totally out of form, Murphy is a very average player who had one good season and Heskey and Smicer are shocking.

There is no width or creativity and I think their lucky streak may finally have ended. Not signing Duff in the summer was the biggest mistake GH has made.
Ken Smith, UK

Unfortunately for Liverpool, whenever Gerrard is not fully fit he becomes a complete liability to the team. They improved immeasurably once Diao replaced him.

Riise is wasted at left-back, they needed his energy on the wing yesterday. And Heskey, whether on the wing or up-front, is not good enough to compete at that level, as was proved during the World Cup.
Tim, UK

Liverpool are in desperate need of one or two creative wingers. Last night against Basle, Liverpool did not have what it takes to win. They need a potent attacking force, as passing the ball all over until someone robs it from you, or you give it back to your keeper, just doesn't work.

I saw a couple of times the ball crossed from the wings and this shook up the opposition, but it doesn't happen enough in the Liverpool camp. Man U have Giggs, Arsenal have Pires, Liverpool have...no one.

I am sure, though, that something must and will be done. So all that is left to say is come on Mr Houllier, and come on you Reds!
Sid, England

Well done Basle! It's good to see the arrogant English being put in their place. When Celtic were knocked out by Basle all we heard from the English pundits was how it was an example of how weak Scottish football is, getting knocked out by a pub team. Maybe now the pundits will actually analyse a team before making rash statements.
Chris, Scotland

We just had a bad game! But no doubt all the whingers will come out of the closet again, saying how negative and boring we are. Blah blah blah! I'd rather win the title anyway!
Scot Wills, UK

No real changes are necessary. We just had a bad start to our European campaign and left ourselves too much to do away from home. Let's remain level headed about this, put it behind us and concentrate on the Premier League.
Jeff Wilkinson, UK

Liverpool are sorely missing Henchoz. While Traore has put in some outstanding performances his understanding with Hypia is not there and we've looked uncharacteristically shaky at the back.

With Henchoz back Traore can shift to the left and we can play Riise in midfield where I believe he's much more dangerous.

Even then we still need a world class winger or partner for Owen. Liverpool just lack someone who can really turn on the style when it matters. We should have gone for broke for Duff, or maybe just bought David Thompson back!
Dave, UK

Liverpool don't know what their best eleven is. They change their team so often it upsets the balance of the team. How Smicer can play instead of Baros only Mr Houllier knows!!
Russ, UK

Why does GH still play Heskey on the left, he was useless there. Owen up-front on his own does not work, he should have played Heskey and Owen up-front and allow Smicer to run freely behind the front two. Oh, and message to Owen: STOP taking the penalties.
Tony, UK

They need midfield creativity. They can buy back Redknapp for �10m if they want! Playing Tony Hart in the middle would make them more creative than they are now, that's how lacking they are.
Ian, Spurs fan, Wales