Liverpool v Bayern preview: all you need to know
Monday, February 18, 2019
Article summary
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp renews his rivalry with Bayern – here's all you need to know.
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- FOLLOW LIVE BUILD-UP FROM LIVERPOOL
- Klopp: "I'd try and buy ticket if I wasn't involved"
- Klopp's Dortmund lost to Bayern in 2013 final
- Van Dijk suspended for hosts, Müller for visitors
- Return takes place in Munich on 13 March
Reporter's view (Matthew Howarth, UEFA.com): With no FA Cup involvement at the weekend, Jürgen Klopp and his players have had ten days to prepare for this. The former Borussia Dortmund coach could be forced to field a makeshift centre-back pairing of Joël Matip and Fabinho against the record Bundesliga champions, who laboured to a 3-2 victory at lowly Augsburg on Friday. We could be set for a similarly high-scoring affair on what promises to be a pulsating evening under the Anfield lights.
Possible line-ups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mané
Out: Van Dijk (suspended), Gomez (lower leg), Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee)
Doubtful: Firmino (illness), Lovren (hamstring), Shaqiri (abdominal)
Misses next game if booked: Robertson
Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba; Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, James, Coman; Lewandowski
Out: Robben (muscle), Müller (suspended), Boateng (illness), Tolisso (knee ligaments)
Misses next game if booked: Kimmich
Key battle
Matip v Lewandowski: In the absence of Van Dijk, the onus falls on Matip to deal with the threat of Lewandowski, the UEFA Champions League's eight-goal top scorer this season. If the Schalke youth product can snuff out the Poland forward, who has scored just once in his last four appearances, it will go a long way to securing Liverpool a first-leg advantage. If Bayern are to return from fortress Anfield with an away goal, then Lewandowski must hit top form.
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Form guide
Liverpool
Last game: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (09/02)
Form: WDDWWLLWWW
Bayern
Last game: Augsburg 2-3 Bayern (15/02)
Form: WWWLWWWWWD
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
It's another one of those games I'm really happy to be involved in, and if I wasn't involved I would try and buy tickets! It's a tough one against a really strong, experienced team, but we are strong as well. Only more stress [facing Bayern] because all the people wanted 600 extra interviews with German news!
We have to create an atmosphere on the pitch and make it easier for the people. It will be outstanding, it's something to enjoy. There's a lot of power involved in the atmosphere. Our crowd is really able to push us from 100% to 140%.
Niko Kovač, Bayern coach
When the players walk into the stadium, they will know exactly what is at stake. These moments are why they became footballers. We drew the toughest possible opponents: 100% will not be enough tomorrow. If Liverpool come at us with 140, we need 150. I cannot imagine that this match will finish goalless.
Kingsley Coman is feeling better with every hour but Franck Ribéry has had no sleep. We will see what shape he is in when he arrives here.