Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Defensive masterclass leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side needing to overcome their poor away record
On a crucial European night, in an atmosphere-filled Anfield against a weakened giant Liverpool managed just two shots on target.
Bayern Munich came with a game-plan and executed it to perfection to stifle a side renowned for their dynamic, lightning-quick and interchangeable front three.
A draw may not be a disaster, but given Jurgen Klopp’s side have to travel to Bavaria for the second leg in three weeks, it was certainly a missed opportunity.
The noise inside Anfield began at fever-pitch, remained optimistic throughout a first half in which their side fashioned several openings but subsided dramatically as the opponent stood resolute and the final whistle approached.
Liverpool remain unbeaten in 20 home games in Europe, but will need to overcome their poor away form and score in Munich to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. Having lost each and every one of their group stage away games to Napoli, Red Star Belgrade and Paris Saint-Germain it looks a tall order.
Bayern have lost just two of their last 26 Champions League games at home, winning 22 and drawing two. After a defensive masterclass it’s an uphill battle for last year’s beaten finalists.
No way through
Ahead of the match the build-up was dominated by talk of patched-up defences. Liverpool looked vulnerable without Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren, with Joel Matip partnered by midfielder Fabinho in central defence.
Bayern, meanwhile, looked as ripe for a beating as they ever have, or maybe will do, with experienced players absent and six games without a clean sheet in all competitions.
In the event that was far from the case as the away side stayed rigidly in position, guarding their penalty area, denying space to run into and blocking every ball that came their way.
Although wingers Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman threatened intermittently it became clear that manager Nico Kovac was very happy to settle for a draw; it was up to Liverpool to prove they were capable of dismantling a deep-set, well organised defence.
Spurned chances
After a cagey opening it looked as though they had the answers. Jordan Henderson was excellent at the base of midfield, spreading play with assurance and retrieving balls to prevent dangerous counter attacks.
The Liverpool skipper played a perfectly-weighted pass over the Munich back-four to Mohamed Salah, who stretched a leg to volley into Manuel Neuer’s arms after 12 minutes. The home fans clapped the vision – little did they know that they’d have to wait another 73 minutes of play to see the German keeper forced into action again.
With both team’s high-press causing nervy moments and yielding dangerous possession goals appeared to be coming. Sadio Mane spurned three half-chances, Salah headed wide and Firmino had an opportunity snuffed out as the wires failed to connect in the final third.
Low block
If Liverpool thought they could come out after the break with renewed vigour then they had another thing coming. Bayern sat patiently in their low block, eagerly repelling everything that came their way.
Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule were superb, reading countless passes and heading wayward set piece after wayward set piece clear to alleviate what little pressure came their way.
Neuer pushed a Mane header around the post in the 85th minute but in truth a late surge, like we have seen so many times under Klopp at Anfield, never seemed like emerging.
Bayern’s solidity and efficiency may not have been eye-catching but it had the exact effect Kovac desired, leaving Liverpool captain Henderson to fall back on positive thinking, instead of a positive result.
“It’s still alive,” he said. “We’ve got to be confident still. It’ll be difficult but we have experience in the Champions League. We can go there and hurt them.”
His manager took a different tone. “I’m not over the moon but I’m completely OK with the game,” Klopp said.
One thing is sure: they will need to be better than OK next time.