LIVERPOOL WIN 3-1 ON AGGREGATE EE AYE SAD I O . . I ’ V E WON IT FOR THE KOP
Klopp heroes make it English clean sweep
SADIO MANE’S stunning double toppled mighty Bayern Munich and completed an English Champions League clean sweep.
On a night when Liverpool produced a magnificent display, Mane was unstoppable.
Virgil van Dijk was also on target to tear apart Bayern and ensure all four English clubs – Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – will be in
SO much for the theory that Liverpool would welcome their own form of Brexit.
Jurgen Klopp’s side proved his passionate words about wanting to remain in Europe to share in the riches of the Champions League were far from hollow, his team producing a stunning victory in Munich.
It was a display inspired by the brilliance of Sadio Mane and the towering presence of Virgil van Dijk, but one forged in the European glories of this club’s rich history.
The defeat of Bayern had echoes of that famous night in 1981 when they came to Munich given barely a chance, and in a memorable display reached the final of this competition.
History is on Liverpool’s side. The last three times they have faced German opponents they have gone on to reach a final – in 2005, 2016 and last year.
This calm, disciplined display suggests a return this season is not beyond them.
Few teams have come here and done this to Bayern, who looked humbled by the end.
It was Mane who stole the headlines, with an incredible performance. He destroyed his marker Rafinha and opened the scoring, with a brilliant individual goal. The hosts fought back to level through a Matip own goal, but then a towering header from his centre-back partner van Dijk from a James Milner corner put the tie beyond doubt.
Mane topped a superb evening with a fine goal after the again-excellent Mo Salah danced down the right and crossed for his partner to head home his 10th goal in his last 10 games.
Klopp caused surprise – and no little anger among some Liverpool fans – for the second time in four days with his selection, this time with what was dubbed a Brexit midfield.
He chose the old-fashioned values of a solid trio of Jordan Henderson, Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum. But, just like Theresa May’s deal in the Commons, it was voted down early in the contest when skipper Henderson limped off.
It was unfortunate for the midfielder, who was desperate to impress after being left out a couple of times of late. Instead, it was his replacement, Fabinho, who was given the task of helping the Reds remain in Europe.
That prospect seemed much more likely 25 minutes into what up until then was a tense and stilted contest, thanks to the outrageous talent of Mane – a footballing migrant surely no one wants to close borders to.
The goal was sublime. A superb long ball from van Dijk
turned the Bayern defence, and Mane’s impossible touch, turn and cool finish had jaws dropped around this majestic stadium.
He is unstoppable at present. If Salah had hit a barren patch by his standards, then the Senegal winger has more than filled those huge boots.
Liverpool, after a nervous start, settled into the task and could have had a second which may well have settle the tie on 34 minutes.
Mane again tormented his marker Rafinha, and fed Andy Robertson, but his shot was beaten away at the near post by Manuel Neuer. That finally roused Bayern into life. They have been criticised as an ageing team this season, and in the opening half hour it seemed they had their slippers on in front of the fire.
But this is Bayern Munich. They have reached the quarter-final 11 times in the last 12 seasons and were never going to lie down and let Liverpool stroll through.
Yet when it came, the goal which briefly levelled the scores was a big disappointment for Klopp’s men. Robertson switched off for a second, allowing Serge Gnabry to get the run on him and cross. Matip, with Robert Lewandowski lurking behind, had to intercept, but succeeded only in turning the ball into his own net.