Samir Nasri's stunning 60th minute strike and Pablo Zabaleta's late effort gave City all three points and secured second place in Group E behind Bayern Munich.
Roma, who hit the post in the second half through Kostas Manolas, also had an effort cleared off the line.
Liverpool's Kop stand, one of the most famous in the game, held its collective breath as its side attempted to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Shkelzen Gashi of Basel and Martin Skrtel of Liverpool endured a fierce contest with both sides desperate to make it through to the knockout phase.
Shkelzen Gashi of Basel and Martin Skrtel of Liverpool endured a fierce contest with both sides desperate to make it through to the knockout phase.
Fabian Frei's 25th minute strike gave Basel a deserved lead at Anfield after a period of dominance from the Swiss side.
Fabian Frei's 25th minute strike gave Basel a deserved lead at Anfield after a period of dominance from the Swiss side.
Lazar Markovic, a halftime substitute, was sent off just 15 minutes later after an altercation with Basel's Behrang Safari.
Lazar Markovic, a halftime substitute, was sent off just 15 minutes later after an altercation with Basel's Behrang Safari.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard felt he should have had a penalty in the second half but replays showed that the officials made the correct decision.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard felt he should have had a penalty in the second half but replays showed that the officials made the correct decision.
Gerrard gave Liverpool hope with a stunning free kick to draw his side level with nine minutes of normal time remaining.
Gerrard gave Liverpool hope with a stunning free kick to draw his side level with nine minutes of normal time remaining.
Despite frantic late pressure, Liverpool was unable to find a dramatic winner and will now play in the Europa League.
Despite frantic late pressure, Liverpool was unable to find a dramatic winner and will now play in the Europa League.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were both on target as Real Madrid claimed a 19th consecutive victory in all competitions -- a new Spanish record. Real defeated Ludogorets 4-0 in the Spanish capital.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were both on target as Real Madrid claimed a 19th consecutive victory in all competitions -- a new Spanish record. Real defeated Ludogorets 4-0 in the Spanish capital.
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Mario Balotelli has had a low key start to his Liverpool career after a big-money move from Italian giants AC Milan. The English club finished runner-up in the Premier League last season but have stuttered so far, losing six of its 13 competitive fixtures.
Balotelli has failed to scored a goal in those 13 matches for his new club after a move reported to be worth $25 million. "We got to a point when we were looking for a different kind of player and he was looking for a different challenge," Milan director Umberto Gandini told CNN of Balotelli's departure from Milan.
Balotelli has failed to scored a goal in those 13 matches for his new club after a move reported to be worth $25 million. "We got to a point when we were looking for a different kind of player and he was looking for a different challenge," Milan director Umberto Gandini told CNN of Balotelli's departure from Milan.
Balotelli has also shown flashes of the temper that have punctuated his career since returning to England -- confronting West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian during Liverpool's 3-1 defeat in September.
Balotelli has also shown flashes of the temper that have punctuated his career since returning to England -- confronting West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian during Liverpool's 3-1 defeat in September.
Balotelli's first stint in England came with current Premier League champions Manchester City between August 2010 and January 2013. Perhaps his defining moment in sky blue came when he scored during City's 6-1 derby demolition of Manchester United and revealed a t-shirt that read "Why always me?"
Balotelli's first stint in England came with current Premier League champions Manchester City between August 2010 and January 2013. Perhaps his defining moment in sky blue came when he scored during City's 6-1 derby demolition of Manchester United and revealed a t-shirt that read "Why always me?"
Balotelli has 33 caps for Italy, scoring 13 goals, the last being his winner in the 2014 World Cup group stage clash against England. But that be would the Azzurri's only success in Brazil, as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica before another one goal defeat -- to Uruguay -- eliminated them.
Balotelli has 33 caps for Italy, scoring 13 goals, the last being his winner in the 2014 World Cup group stage clash against England. But that be would the Azzurri's only success in Brazil, as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica before another one goal defeat -- to Uruguay -- eliminated them.
After the World Cup, Balotelli failed to make two Italy squads, perhaps reflecting his indifferent form for Liverpool, though he was recalled in November, before picking an injury on international duty.
After the World Cup, Balotelli failed to make two Italy squads, perhaps reflecting his indifferent form for Liverpool, though he was recalled in November, before picking an injury on international duty.
Balotelli burst onto the scene with AC Milan's city neighbors Internazionale in December 2007. He had a fractious relationship with then Inter boss Jose Mourinho, leaving for Manchester City in 2010 after scoring 20 goals in 59 matches for the club.
Balotelli burst onto the scene with AC Milan's city neighbors Internazionale in December 2007. He had a fractious relationship with then Inter boss Jose Mourinho, leaving for Manchester City in 2010 after scoring 20 goals in 59 matches for the club.
Balotelli's move from City to AC Milan angered Inter fans, who share a stadium with its city rivals. Gandini hailed Balotelli's contribution in his first season at the club as his goal helped it make the European Champions League.
Balotelli's move from City to AC Milan angered Inter fans, who share a stadium with its city rivals. Gandini hailed Balotelli's contribution in his first season at the club as his goal helped it make the European Champions League.
But after just one full campaign with the club Balotelli was on the move for the fourth time in his fledgling career, his new manager Brendan Rodgers admitting signing the striker was a "calculated risk," given his disciplinary problems and off-field antics.
But after just one full campaign with the club Balotelli was on the move for the fourth time in his fledgling career, his new manager Brendan Rodgers admitting signing the striker was a "calculated risk," given his disciplinary problems and off-field antics.
Gandini said of the mercurial player: "The expectation was probably bigger (at AC Milan), and I think also his expectations, and he has not reached the status yet where he can carry the club. Until he will do that he won't be able to fulfill his promises. I hope he does fulfill his potential, for him, for Liverpool and for the national team."
Gandini said of the mercurial player: "The expectation was probably bigger (at AC Milan), and I think also his expectations, and he has not reached the status yet where he can carry the club. Until he will do that he won't be able to fulfill his promises. I hope he does fulfill his potential, for him, for Liverpool and for the national team."
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But City held out to ensure its place in the knockout phase of the competition.
"I think the performance of the team was amazing," Nasri told Sky Sports.
"It was important for me to score, after the surgery I took a while to get to my full level, now I am."
The result was even more of an achievement for City given the absence of three of its star players.
Sergio Aguero, who scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Bayern Munich was ruled out with a knee injury, while captain Vincent Kompany failed to shake off a hamstring problem.
City was also without its talisman midfielder Yaya Toure, who was suspended after being sent off during the 2-1 defeat by CSKA Moscow.
A tense opening hour was finally brought to life by Nasri who produced a wonderful piece of skill to give his side the lead.
The Frenchman's shot from 20-yards flew off the post and into the net to stun the home side.
Roma, now requiring two goals to progress, came close with Joe Hart making a number of important saves before Manolas' header struck the post.
The home side continued to push forward in search of an equalizer but Mattia Destro's effort was hacked off the line as City's nerves began to fray.
But with four minutes of normal time remaining, City broke at speed and Nasri played in Zabaleta to fire into the far corner.
"We recovered our normal performance, playing good pressing and playing well with the ball," Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, told Sky Sports.
"We are a solid team, we are recovering the ball in the correct way. I had a lot of trust in what we could do. I said I didn't want to talk about players not in the team. This team deserve a little more credit than the press always give us."
Bayern Munich, which had already won the group, defeated CSKA Moscow 3-0 courtesy of goals from Thomas Muller, Sebastian Rode and Mario Gotze.
In Group F, Barcelona sealed top spot with a convincing 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, once of Barcelona, gave the visiting team the lead before Lionel Messi equalized with his 75th goal in the competition.
Neymar and Luis Suarez added further strikes to ensure Barcelona will face a team which finished second in its group when the draw is made on Monday.
In the same group, Ajax thrashed Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia 4-0 in Amsterdam.
Chelsea rounded off its group stage campaign with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge.
Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schurrle and Jon Obi Mikel scored the goals for Chelsea while Schalke's 1-0 win at Maribor allowed the German club to take second spot in Group G.
Elsewhere, Porto and Shakhtar, both already through to the next stage, drew 1-1 while Athletic Bilbao claimed a 2-0 win over Bate Borisov
The Belarussian side has the rather dubious honor of having conceded the most goals ever in the history of the competition's group stage, beating the previous record of 22 held by Dinamo Zagreb and Nordsjaelland.
CNN.
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