Liverpool 0-0 FC Bayern
It was billed as the tightest clash of the Champions League Round of 16, and so it turned out as Liverpool and Bayern played out a goalless draw at Anfield.
And that means the tie is finely balanced, with Liverpool just needing a scoring draw in Munich to go through to the final eight. I think that might just suit Jurgen Klopp.
The hosts’ manager said before the game that Liverpool fans would rather win the Premier League than the Champions League; maybe that was a bit of pre-match kidology. Meanwhile, Bayern coach Niko Kovac said Liverpool were the toughest draw his side could have had in the Round of 16 and he won’t have changed his mind after this 90 minutes.
With ten Champions League (or European Cup) titles between them, Liverpool and FC Bayern are elder statesmen of Europe’s premier competition and are both well in the reckoning in the Champions League 2019 betting markets. But only one of them will survive the return in Bavaria.
Highlights of the game
Virgil van Dijk’s absence through suspension meant Liverpool’s depleted defence was now without their main man, and Fabinho stepped in again. But the home side looked in some disarray in the early exchanges. Joel Matip almost scored an own goal, but lucky for him his miscued clearance ricocheted off Alisson’s face and out. That would have been one for the Champions League 2019 highlights package if the ball had flown into the net!
As expected, Liverpool looked more sure-footed up front, and after good work from Mo Salah and Naby Keita, Sadio Mane came close but pulled his shot just wide. But then Alisson almost gifted Bayern a goal when he came out to beat Robert Lewandowski to the ball, but he passed it to Kingsley Coman who fired into the side netting.
Salah came close when he got on the end of a superb ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mane had another fine chance after a Keita shot hit Niklas Sule and bounced at his feet. However, he fired wide when he should have scored.
All square at the break and Liverpool had recovered well from a shaky start. While Bayern started stronger, the Reds could and probably should have been ahead by half-time. And they had another great chance at the start of the second half after Manuel Neuer came to meet Andy Robertson; the wing-back’s cross reached Salah at the back post, but he poked the ball wide with the goal gaping.
Serge Gnabry came close for the Bavarians but his shot went just over the bar with Alisson beaten. Liverpool went back on the front foot, and Mats Hummels did well to deny Mane. And as the pressure mounted and a Liverpool corner flew in, the ball pinged about in the box before Matip blazed over when the chance fell to him rather than a striker. And the crowd was on its feet on 85 minutes when Mane headed a Robertson cross towards the corner, but Neuer stretched to tip the ball around the post.
Key Statistics
The Reds are now 13 matches unbeaten at Anfield and 20 European home games unbeaten, while it was the first draw for Liverpool in 12 Champions League outings.
Klopp’s team won the shot count by 15 to nine but only had two on target, while the only player to test Alisson was his own defender Joel Matip!
Bayern won only one of eight clashes with Liverpool but haven’t scored in four attempts at Anfield. But then, what can you expect if you don’t have a shot on target? We can be pretty sure Alisson will have much more to do when Liverpool visit Germany.
What’s next?
Well then. After another epic night under the floodlights at Anfield, the drama continues with THE big game in the Premier League season. It’s Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday, and we’ll be looking at that game soon to make our SBOBET tips.
It’s sure to be an absolute belter. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red revolution is in full flow again, after beating Chelsea in the FA Cup, and Klopp’s team will be determined to keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the league.
After winning away at Augsburg last Friday, Bayern are now hot on the heels of leaders BVB and have a home game against Hertha Berlin. Expect Kovac’s men to win that one.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
