We played out what turned out to be an entertaining, if frustrating, stalemate at Anfield last month. Now, our fixture against Bayern Munich is set up for a classic European away leg.
Since that goaless affair in February, Bayern have been in storming form – they’ve scored 12 goals in three league wins to climb back up to top spot in the Bundesliga.
“If we can push ourselves in a special mood and play a proper football game, then we have a proper chance and that’s all I need.”
The boss on our clash with @FCBayern. 👊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 12, 2019
When asked whether Bayern might take a different tack to the first leg, Jürgen Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com, “It’s not for me to judge what they do, or did”.
“They are in a different moment now obviously, it’s a much more positive moment for Bayern – top of the table again, winning games comfortably again and all that stuff…
“We are strong enough to give them a proper game and that’s the only thing you can expect in a situation like that, in a good situation…if we are at our best we can be exceptional.”
Jurgen Klopp has said that “it looks good” for Trent Alexander Arnold ahead of tomorrow’s game with Bayern Munich despite coming off with a minor knock at the weekend.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) March 12, 2019
Klopp was fairly confident when grilled on our chances of getting through the quarter-finals, admitting that he was, “As optimistic as possible before a game against very strong opponents. It’s just an open game, that’s actually the only thing you need for the second one.”
“With a 0-0 everything is clear: you have to win the game. That’s what you always want. In this specific case, you can win the game with a draw as well, but it’s all clear – we have to play a really good game”, he added.
We tend to agree with the boss here. The tie isn’t beyond us, there’s aways goals on offer, we’re as buoyed as Bayern after beating Burnley, and we’ve got the players to dismantle the German side.
Virgil van Dijk has faced the likes of:
Neymar, Mbappe, Cavani, Insigne, Mertens, Callejon, Hazard, Kane, Aguero, Sterling, Aubameyang, Pogba, Lacazette, Rashford, Martial, Eriksen, Sane, Son
So far this season…
He has been dribbled past a WHOPPING 0 times.
Wall. pic.twitter.com/YClHayCczP
— LFCVine (@LFCVine) March 11, 2019
However, the Bavarians also have a whole host of world-class talent at their disposal including this season’s top scorer in the Champions League, Robert Lewandowski.
On Bayern’s leading man up top, Klopp added: “Robert is a world-class striker, no doubt about that. But he has different strengths and skills, it’s not that you can say, ‘If you avoid that then he cannot do that’. We are experienced enough and good enough”.
We’ll have our work cut out for us if we want to try and neutralise his threat, but with Virgil van Dijk back at the heart of defence we fancy our chances with that.
Like all good European ties, anything could happen – a sentiment Klopp echoed: “How I always said: if you want a guarantee, don’t watch the game. If you want the chance, watch it!”
The away leg is delicately poised; the first goal will be crucial so let’s hold back and hit them on the counter. There’s no guarantees, but we think those away goals will be the difference for us!