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TEAMS: Mario Balotelli out of Liverpool squad as Rickie Lambert gets nod up front
MARIO BALOTELLI is not even on the bench for Liverpool's Champions League tie with Basel tonight, with Rickie Lambert keeping his place up front.
Rickie Lambert starts for Liverpool tonight
Lambert has scored two goals from his last five games for the Reds, including Liverpool's first in their 2-2 draw at Ludogorets last month.
Manager Brendan Rodgers makes four changes to the XI that drew 0-0 with Sunderland last weekend, Steven Gerrard coming back into the midfield.
Defensive duo Jose Enrique and Dejan Lovren come in for Kolo Toure and Alberto Moreno, while Joe Allen replaces the benched Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Lovren, Skrtel, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Lambert.
Subs: Jones, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic.
Basel: Vaclik, Xhaka, Schär, Suchy, Safari, Elneny, Frei, Zuffi, González, Streller, Gashi.
Subs: Vailati, Degen, Samuel, Delgado, Diaz, Hamoudi, Embolo.
Liverpool hoping for another special Anfield night
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