What a dramatic night that was at Anfield. However this time ten years on, a Steven Gerrard wonder strike was not enough to send the red half of Merseyside into the knockout stages of the Champions League. In many ways this 1-1 draw at home to Swiss club FC Basel summed up Liverpool's campaign so far. Full of endeavour and expectation, but ultimately lacking in quality and ruthlessness - traits that exemplified their stunning season last year which saw them narrowly miss out on the Premier League title.
There is no shame in falling short against an FC Basel side who unlike Liverpool have become very accustomed to life in Europe having competed in European competition every season since 1999-2000 and the prestigious Champions League a total of six times.
Impressive statistics which were backed up by an assured display in what many of us expected to be one of those 'Great European Nights at Anfield.'
So where did and where have Liverpool been falling short? Losing the goals of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge would have a significant impact on any club side in the world. It is the equivalent of Real Madrid losing Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona being deprived of Lionel Messi. With 'SAS' in the side, Liverpool were guaranteed plenty of goals so conceding the odd one or two wasn't an issue. Currently Brendan Rodger's side have nobody who is going to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.
Leaving the creative instincts of Adam Lallana and Philippe Countinho on the bench has to be questioned, particularly as they has been one of the few bright sparks for Liverpool in recent weeks.
It would be easy to look back and suggest that the harsh sending off of substitute Lazar Markovic was a turning point, but the home side only started playing with the shackles off once Gerrard conjured up his moment of set-piece magic.
Being brutally honest, Basel could have been out of sight at half-time given the dominance they exerted and Liverpool would once again have been relying on a comeback of Istanbul proportions.
Brendan Rodger's focus will now turn to attaining some sort of consistency over the Christmas period with that coveted top four spot currently being occupied by West Ham who sit six points above The Reds.
Deep down, Rodgers will know that his side have not been quite good enough and will be hugely disappointed that he couldn't mastermind a route through to the knockout stages in what was their first Champions League campaign in five years.
He can praise his players for their heart and the efforts they put into last night's game, but that will only get you so far against the very best that Europe has to offer. Just how long will it be before the Kop End experiences another one of those 'Great European Nights at Anfield?'
