Liverpool earned a positive result against Bayern Munich as the two sides drew 0-0 in the last-16 first-leg at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Whilst the draw now gives Jurgen Klopp’s Reds a great chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, they will rue not picking up victory as an incredible defensive performance from the Bavarians limited the hosts’ talented attack despite enjoying the majority of the ball throughout the evening.
Fiery start
Predictably, it was Mo Salah who had the first real chance of the game. The Egyptian was wonderfully picked out by Jordan Henderson but could only poke his shot straight at Manuel Neuer.
The Germans responded brilliantly however and only an excellent save from Alisson and a great block from Naby Keita kept the game level.
Chances go begging for Liverpool
Despite Bayern’s great start, it was still Jurgen Klopp’s men who were creating the best chances. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was misjudged by David Alaba, giving Salah space to nod in at the back post. However, he put his effort just wide.
Mane then really should have opened the scoring as Keita’s shot fell to him unmarked in the area. He was slightly off-balance though as he spun to shoot and the ball harmlessly bobbled wide. An acrobatic effort from the Senegalese forward then flew off target.
Joel Matip was then the next to be guilty of spurning a great opportunity as he latched onto Roberto Firmino’s cutback but once again, the ball was sent wide.
Late opportunities?
Liverpool continued to push throughout the second-half but were not quite able to find that killer ball. Mane though did have an opportunity in the closing minutes as he found space at the near post but Neuer reacted excellently to palm the ball away from goal.
As a result, the match did ended goalless as both sides really lacked that cutting edge in front of goal. All eyes will now turn to the second-leg at the Allianz Arena, with a win or a score draw sending Liverpool through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Nico Kovac’s troops have to win on home soil or at least repeat this result if they harbour any hopes of progressing.
Final Thoughts
Whilst not a match that produced the most sparkling football in the world, both teams were interesting to watch. Liverpool did create chances but did not quite trouble Bayern enough to bulge Manuel Neuer’s net. Bayern meanwhile were tremendous defensively but struggled to get talismanic forward Robert Lewandowski involved.
Match Report
Liverpool: Alisson (6); Robertson (7), Fabinho (7), Matip (7), Alexander-Arnold (7); Wijnaldum (7), Henderson (7), Keita (7) (Milner (N/A), 76′); Salah (6), Firmino (6) (Origi (N/A), 76′), Mane (6).
Bayern Munich: Neuer (7); Alaba (6), Hummels (8), Sule (7), Kimmich (6); Thiago (7), Javi Martinez (7); Coman (6), Rodriguez (6) (Sanches (N/A), 88′), Gnabry (7) (Rafinha (N/A), 90+1′), Lewandowski (6).
Goals: N/A
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Yellow Cards: Kimmich (28′), Henderson (56′)
Red Cards: N/A
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