Liverpool midfielder Lazar Markovic has been handed a four-match European suspension for his red card in the 1-1 draw with Basel in the Champions League in December.

Markovic was deemed to have lashed out with his arm and struck Behrang Safari in the face as he attempted to push off the defender, although the impact can be described as a glancing blow at best.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had only brought the Serbia international on at half-time in place of striker Rickie Lambert, but the 20-year-old was given his marching orders in the 61st minute as the Reds battled back from a goal down to draw the group match.

Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Show all 13 1 /13 Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Simon Mignolet Not much the Liverpool goalkeeper could do for Frei's brilliantly struck low drive. Made a decent save from a shot from range late on and stood up well at his front post as Basel threatened at the death. 6 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Glen Johnson Basel found most success down Johnson's side of the field with the England international over-committing to tackles on more than one occasion. Little end product going forward including a poor final ball when Lambert was ready to pounce. Also made a wayward pass at the death with Liverpool chasing the game. 4 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Jose Enrique Looked off the pace and was out-muscled at times. Replaced by Moreno at the break. 3 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Dejan Lovren Made some good clearances with his head and stood up well when a challenge was needed. Was booked and can feel fortunate not to have received another. 5 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Martin Skrtel Did enough at the back to keep Basel to one goal. His rasping shot from range came very close to finding the back of the net. 6 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Lucas Leiva Basel made progress through his area of the field far more often than the Brazilian would have liked. Gave possession away unnecessarily. 5 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Joe Allen Largely anonymous for much of the match as the Welshman failed to adequately cover his centre-backs. Offered nothing going forward. 4 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Jordan Henderson The best Liverpool player on the pitch, doing more to link up the midfield than anyone else. His energy was nearly rewarded with the winning goal when his deflected header almost rolled in. 7 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Steven Gerrard Was nowhere near his best with a few stray passes and at times caught in possession. Yet, as is so often the case, pulled his side back into it with an incredible free-kick. 6 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Raheem Sterling Showed his usual energy first down the right and then the left. Final ball wasn't always what it needed to be but the youngster's well weighted pass nearly played Gerrard through only for the goalkeeper to get there first. Just. 6 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Rickie Lambert Failed to link up play adequately and some of his passing was nothing better than cumbersome. Replaced by Markovic at the break. 4 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Off the bench: Lazar Markovic Replaced Rickie Lambert at half time. Showed a willingness to run at the Basel defence and have a shot. That was before he was sent off after 61 minutes for throwing his arm out at Safari and making contact with his finger tips. 4 GETTY IMAGES Liverpool 1 Basel 1 player ratings Off the bench: Alberto Moreno Replaced Enrique at half-time and managed to get forward better. However his final delivery wasn't always up to scratch. 5 GETTY IMAGES

However, the result, which came courtesy of a Steven Gerrard free-kick, was not enough to send Liverpool through to the Champions League last-16, and they dropped down to the Europa League in which they will face Besiktas in the last-32 first leg on Thursday.

Referee Bjorn Kuipers splits the Liverpool and Basel players (Getty Images)

Markovic was certain to be handed a one-match suspension for his dismissal, but a Uefa disciplinary committee has deemed the incident worthy of a much harsher sanction. Uefa's ruling also specifies that appeals can only be made in the case of mistaken identity, meaning that Rodgers will be without the services of one of his most improved players this season.

The initial red card, handed out by Uefa referee Bjorn Kuipers, could have been put down to Safari's theatrical reaction to Markovic catches him on the nose, and had Liverpool kept all 11 men on the field of play in the match they may still be in the Champions League, such was their surge for victory towards the end of the game.

Speaking after the match, Rodgers expressed his disappointment in the dismissal, as he did not believe that Markovic had done any wrong.

"I thought the sending off was a really disappointing decision by the referee," said the Northern Irishman.

"Lazar Markovic gets sent off for that - his fingernail barely touches the nose of the defender and the defender is the guy who should be looked at for his reaction."