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UEFA Champions League - Liverpool 0 Bayern Munich 0 - Match Report!
Liverpool frustrated at Anfield by a resolute Bayern backline
Mitch Freeley
Liverpool failed to stamp their authority on a battling Bayern Munich as a 0-0 first-leg draw at Anfield left their Champions League last-16 tie in the balance.
The Premier League side produced the more promising attacking moments against a circumspect opponent but are likely to need an away goal when the teams reconvene at Allianz Arena on March 13.
Jurgen Klopp, robbed of Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren through suspension and injury, will at least be pleased with the way his back four navigated the rare instances of danger posed to them by the German champions.
But the strange lack of cutting edge despite Roberto Firmino's presence at the point of attack resulted in a first-leg draw that means a quarter-final berth is still very much up for grabs.
Liverpool's makeshift central-defensive pairing of Fabinho and Joel Matip survived a nervy start, with the latter relieved his miscued clearance of Serge Gnabry's low cross came back off Alisson.
A muddled attempt at playing out then gifted an opportunity to Kingsley Coman, who fired into the side-netting.
The hosts soon established superiority and Sadio Mane went close with a shot on the turn, while Mohamed Salah and Matip threatened amid a succession of half-chances.
An unbalanced Salah's poor touch scuppered a promising Liverpool break early in the second half before the lively Gnabry whistled an effort over the crossbar.
The late flurry that might have been expected of Klopp's men in a bid to establish a sought-after first-leg advantage ultimately never came, with Manuel Neuer's smart low save from Mane's deflected near-post header proving the most either goalkeeper had to do over a laboured final 30 minutes.
Goals/ Highlights
Chance! Manuel Neuer denies Sadio Mane with a fine reflex save!
Chance! Gnabry flashes a shot just over!
Chance! End to end stuff here at Anfield! Joel Matip spurns a chance from yards out!
Serge Gnabry smashes a shot goalwards! Just wide!
Chance! How did Sadio Mane spurn that chance?!
Chance! Kingsley Coman smashes a shot into the side netting!
When *That* Champions League music hits! Heaven!
Live Updates
Preamble
Just under ten minutes to game time at Anfield! Ruud Gullet has had his say on Jordan Henderson, who starts in midfield tonight!
Jordan Henderson is "a hard-working midfielder, that's it!"https://t.co/sbwY9KzXfX#beINUCL #UCL #LIVFCB 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/6MGesZTl0A — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 19, 2019
Now for Bayern! Kingsley Coman is fit and starts! Watch out for Robert Lewandowski, the Polish international has been a sensation in recent weeks!
Unser Team 🆚 @LFC ❗️#packmas#MiaSanMia @ChampionsLeague #UCL #LFCFCB pic.twitter.com/sBoMK12HJz — FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) February 19, 2019
So we have team news! First up Liverpool! Fabinho & Matip make up an impromptu centre back pairing! Former RB Leipzig man Naby Keita starts in midfield, whilst Mane, Firmino & Salah are in attack.
#UCL team news! 🔴
The Reds line-up against @FCBayern... https://t.co/oIz5xHyJTH — Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 19, 2019
No Virgil van Dijik tonight, as he is suspended for the big game. How will Liverpool go?
How will #LFC cope without Van Dijk tonight?https://t.co/sbwY9KzXfX#beINUCL #UCL #LIVFCB 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/Dwm1akI21i — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 19, 2019
It's a massive night of Champions League football, and as ever, we have got your back here on beIN SPORT!
⚽ A huge night in the #UCL!@LFC v @FCBayernEN 📺 HD11@OL_English v @FCBarcelona 📺 HD12#beINUCL #LIVFCB #OLBarca pic.twitter.com/XhANtfjKvX — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 19, 2019
Over in the English studio we have Ruud Gullit & Andy "Andrew" Cole joining Angus Scott!
Time for Chelsea to sack Maurizio Sarri? @GullitR has his say!#beINUCL #CFC 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/0qq5spUBL3 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 19, 2019
Liverpool have arrived! Klopp and Co are looking focused!
Reds arrivals ✊ #UCL pic.twitter.com/JmI5PbYd9z — Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 19, 2019
So here we go! A European night under the lights! Special! So we asked you via Twitter who will win the big match. Well, the results are in...
Good evening! Welcome to the Live updates of Liverpool Vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Can Liverpool get the better of a Bayern Munich side who have steadily been improving just in time for the business end of the Champions League? Anyway, we should be a little clearer by the end of the evening! As ever, join me for all the latest team news, build up and goals from the game as they go in!