Missed chances
Bayern Munich frustrate Liverpool
An underwhelming 0-0 draw against old foes Bayern Munich on Tuesday was not what Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dreamed of, the coach, who remained confident of progressing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, said.
Sadio Mane wasted the best chance when the Senegalese forward fired wide during an open first 45 minutes, but a cagey second half left it all to be decided when the sides meet again in Munich on March 13.
However, without the talismanic presence of Virgil van Dijk through suspension and the injured 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,” Liverpool’s coach said.
“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,” Klopp said.
“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.”
That unfamiliarity in Liverpool’s defence showed in the early stages as the hosts 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 Becker’s chest.
But the Brazilian goalkeeper played his side into trouble moments later to put pressure on Matip and, when he was dispossessed by Robert Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman fired into the side-netting.
Liverpool were also posing plenty of problems at the other end, although their final ball often lacked precision.
“We made life more difficult with the last pass today about 10 or 12 times,” Klopp said.
“We can play better and we should play better.”
Mohamed Salah headed wide at the back post from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s perfectly measured cross.
Mane passed up the best chance for either side as he shot wide on the turn after Naby Keita’s initial effort was blocked by Niklas Suele’s arm.
Bayern may not have hit the heights of previous years in the Bundesliga this season as they trail Borussia Dortmund by three points in their quest to land a seventh straight league title.
However, the German champions have made the last eight of the Champions League for each of the past seven seasons and had the experience to hold out for what they clearly saw as a valuable draw as they 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,” Bayern boss Niko Kovac said.
“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 their early exit in the FA Cup and looked the fresher side as they sought a winner.