LIVERPOOL’S trio of former Saints players suffered Champions League heartbreak tonight as Brendan Rodgers’ side came up short in the must-win clash with Basle.

The Reds had to beat the Swiss team at Anfield to seal second place in Group B and reach the knockout stage but could only muster a 1-1 draw after going down to ten men when Lazar Markovic was red carded – just after coming on for St Mary’s legend Rickie Lambert at half-time – for an innocuous flick of the arm on Behrang Safari.

Earlier, Fabian Frei put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes while Steven Gerrard replied with a free kick late in the second half.

Ex-Saint Dejan Lovren made his first start in five matches for Liverpool, while Adam Lallana was an unused sub.