Klopp eyes Munich improvement as Bayern blunts Reds in stalemate
LIVERPOOL — Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted an underwhelming 0-0 draw against old foe Bayern Munich on Tuesday was not what he “dreamed of”, but he remained confident of progressing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Sadio Mane wasted the Reds’ best chance when the Senegalese forward fired wide during an open first half, but a cagey second period left it all to be decided when the sides meet again in Munich on March 13.
However, without the commanding presence of the suspended Virgil van Dijk and injured defenders Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren, Liverpool at least did not concede an away goal despite fielding a makeshift central defensive pairing of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho and Joel Matip.
“It’s not the result or the game we dreamed of,” said Klopp. “It is not a game we will remember in 30 years. It’s the result we have and we will work with that.
“It was a clean sheet without the big man (Van Dijk). A lot of people wouldn’t have expected that. The defending was good. A lot of things were really good. I’m not over the moon but I’m completely OK with the game.”
The unfamiliarity in Liverpool’s defense showed in the early stages as the host started nervously at the back.
Matip breathed a sigh of relief when he turned Serge Gnabry’s driven cross towards his own goal only for the ball to bounce to safety off Alisson’s chest.
However, the Brazilian goalkeeper played his side into trouble moments later to put pressure on Matip, who was dispossessed by Robert Lewandowski before Kingsley Coman fired into the side netting.
Liverpool was also posing plenty of problems at the other end of the pitch, although its final ball often lacked precision.
“We made life more difficult with the last pass today about 10 or 12 times,” said Klopp. “We can play better and we should play better.”
Mo Salah headed wide at the back post from Trent AlexanderArnold’s perfectly measured cross.
Mane then passed up the best chance for either side as he shot wide on the turn after Naby Keita’s initial effort was blocked by the arm of Niklas Suele.
Bayern has not hit the heights of previous years in the Bundesliga this season as it trails Borussia Dortmund by three points in its quest to land a seventh straight league title.
However, the German champion has made the last eight of the Champions League for each of the past seven seasons and had the experience to hold out for what it clearly saw as a valuable draw as it wound the clock down in the final stages.
“I can’t remember that many clubs that have not conceded at Anfield. The way Liverpool play, they are a sensationally good team. My team as a whole kept everything tight at the back,” said Bayern boss Niko Kovac.
“We didn’t score but we didn’t let one in. Home games are an advantage, we play in front of 75,000, but we know if we concede we have to win.”
Liverpool had 10 days off to prepare for Bayern’s visit due to its early exit in the FA Cup and looked the fresher side as it pressed for a winner.
Mane forced Manuel Neuer to produce his best save of the night to turn a low header behind five minutes from time.
Klopp’s men have lost their last five Champions League games away from Anfield, including last season’s final.
The return of Van Dijk will aid Liverpool’s chances, but that rot will need to stop in Munich in three weeks’ time if it is to reach the last eight.