Liverpool VS Bayern PREview
Bayern Munich's stranglehold on German football is currently under threat. The German champions for the last six consecutive seasons are currently second on the Bundesliga table behind leaders Dortmund. Liverpool's situation is the exact opposite. After going almost 30 years without an English league title, this season might be the best opportunity for the once-dominant English force to end years of torture.
The last non-Bayern manager to win the Bundesliga is none other than Liverpool trainer Jürgen Klopp. Klopp's pulsating Dortmund team won back to back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012. Continental success has time and time again escaped Klopp, Bayern ended his European dream by sending his Dortmund squad packing in the 2013 Champions League final. This tie presents an ideal moment for some German vengeance.
Niko Kovač 's first season in charge of Germany's most powerful team has been less than smooth. Club symbols, president Uli Hoeness, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic held a mid-season joint press conference to give public backing to the manager.
A deep European run can save Kovač's blushes if the Bundesliga belt is seized. Liverpool fans on the flip side might be thinking another European run might be too much for their squad to handle especially with Premier League title to play for. Last season despite making it all the way to Champion's League final Liverpool finished in the 4th in the Premier League, the final Champions League qualification spot.
Liverpool has spent a lot to build a squad capable of handling multiple competitions but Manchester City's resilience means despite losing just one game all season they still have a fight on their hands for the Premier League. In fact, Liverpool needed an almost perfect performance vs Napoli on the final matchday to even make it to the round of 16.
The last time these two teams met was at Bayern's annual pre-season Audi Cup in 2017. Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners, although that game was of little significance, it was maybe the beginning of a belief that this Liverpool team can beat anybody.
Liverpool- Possible Lineup
The suspended Virgil Van Djik is a colossal complication for Liverpool. The world's most expensive defender and Dutch national team captain will miss the first leg at Anfield. In addition, the backline is suffering from a series of injuries. Lovern is pushing to make it for the fixture, Trent Alexander Arnold has been out for a while and Joe Gomez looks like he will definitely be out. The introduction of van Djik and Alisson to Liverpool has redefined both the expectations and the potential of this team. The middle, as usual, will very workmanlike, both Naby Keita and Fabinho are also options but have taken their time to adjust to life in England. The front three are undeniably where Liverpool are most dangerous, apart from their obvious attacking proficiency, their front pressing is essential to Klopp's gegenpressing philosophy.
Goals(all season)- Mohamed Salah 20, Sadio Mané 13, Roberto Firminpo 11
Key Player- Mohamed Salah , has already shown England that he is no one season wonder and if Liverpool is to progress from this stage he will have to show Europe the same.
Bayern Possible Line-up
Bayern has a suspension problem as well, Thomas Muller has been banned for both of the legs. Without their Raumdeuter, Bayern may turn to Colombian superstar James Rodriguez or give Leon Goretzka a more advanced role. James has battled for game time and form since arriving in Germany last season. The club is also sweating as they normally are over the fitness of Robben and Ribery. Many Bayern fans think the recycling of their wingers has come a season too late. Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman are two wingers with the immense ability so whatever the final choice Liverpool will have to be wary. Where Kovač will play Kimmich is also uncertain. Kimmich has been used as a midfielder quite frequently this season. Niklas Süle could also be given the nod in the middle of the defence. Manuel Neuer is another injury concern for the Germans. The team is much stronger when the number one is at 100 percent.
Goals(all season)-Robert Lewandowski 22, Thomas Müller 5, Franck Ribéry 5
Key Player- Robert Lewandowski, the legendary Pol is having yet another outstanding season and is by far Bayern's most likely source for goals. Liverpool would know this and no one knows the striker like Klopp, who brought the player to Germany. If Lewy has any weakness at all Klopp would be aware, however knowing how to stop him and actually doing it are two different things.