Klopp held by old enemy

they still want to challenge for this one. They had the first chance as a long ball from Jordan Henderson found Mo Salah but he was stretching and couldn’t get enough power on it.

Then Matip’s attempted clearance at the other end cannoned off keeper Alisson from close range after he tried to clear a cross from Serge Gnabry.

Liverpool were struggling without Van Dijk at the back and France winger Kingsley Coman found the side netting when in space.

Klopp’s men were certainly shaky but there were also gaps in the Bayern backline and Salah should have scored a back-post header when Trent Alexander-Arnold crossed for him.

Sadio Mane then squandered a glorious chance when Roberto Firmino – who overcame a virus to start – had a shot deflected into his path.

It was a frantic, flowing game that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Gnabry forced Alisson into a save down low before a spectacular overhead kick from Mane at the other end went high and wide.

The Germans were struggling to contain Liverpool when they attacked and Matip turned an effort wide after some clever play from Salah and Firmino.

It was a proper European tie between two giants of the competition.

A mistake from Manuel Neuer almost gifted the hosts the lead after the restart when his clearance hit Andy Robertson but Salah couldn’t control.

Gnabry’s long-range effort wasn’t far away as Bayern continued to threaten at the other end. But the sides will resume battle all-square on March 13.

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Keita (Milner 76), Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino (Origi 76), Mane. Subs: Mignolet, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Shaqiri.

Neuer; Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Alaba; Martinez, Thiago; Gnabry (Rafinha 90), James (Sanches 88), Coman (Ribery 81); Lewandowski. Subs: Ulrich, , Davies, Mai, Shabani.

Gianluca Rocchi (Italy).