Bayern ‘will be right in the head’ – Kovac

FOOTBALL: Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac feels Liverpool are the toughest Champions League draw his men could have been handed, but has backed the Bavarians to get a positive result at Anfield tonight.

The Reds were runners-up in the competition last season and are currently second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Manchester City, who have played a game more.

Kovac said: “I want to say once again we are playing against an opponent where it is the most difficult draw.

“If you look at what Liverpool did in the Champions League last season, and what they are doing in the Premier League this season, then you have to say it is the most difficult draw that there is.

“The atmosphere will definitely be good, but I’m sure my players have gone through a lot of big games with great atmospheres, so that’s not an argument that we shouldn’t be able to compete.

“We just have to get into the game, be focused, stand up to the first attacks and then we’ll try to play our game, and we can get a successful result.

“The Champions League is undoubtedly special and when the lads leave the hotel or come into the stadium they’ll know what it’s about, why they need venues like this and opponents like this.

“I’m completely convinced everybody will be right in the head and produce performances they have to to get a result.”

Bayern are currently second themselves, behind Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund, in the Bundesliga, which they won last term for a sixth successive season. They exited last year’s Champions League in the semifinals.

The visitors look set to be without Jerome Boateng, the defender having been hit by gastroenteritis.