Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Jurgen Klopp’s men stifled by German giants in tense Champions League encounter

Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Jurgen Klopp’s men stifled by German giants in tense Champions League encounter
Liverpool have plenty to do in the second leg of their Champions League tie at Bayern Munich after playing out a goalless draw against the well-organised German side at Anfield.Jurgen Klopp found his former Bundesliga nemeses a tough nut to crack in their last-16 first leg encounter in a game where both sides cancelled each other out.4

It was a tight game at Anfield

These clubs may have 10 European Cups between them but there was little to show for it in terms of quality, with just three combined shots on target in 90 minutes, which promised so much but delivered so little.Liverpool, with Virgil Van Dijk suspended and Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez both injured, started with their fourth-choice centre-back in Joel Matip and midfielder Fabinho playing alongside him.It was not the best scenario to be facing the Champions League’s leading scorer Robert Lewandowski but a clean sheet was one positive to come from the night.Alisson Becker and Manuel Neuer, both goalkeepers reknowned for being comfortable on the ball, made errors which could – on another night – have led to goals.4

The Reds made a very shaky start at the back

Liverpool’s vaunted 44-goal front line also struggled to find their target with Sadio Mane screwing a shot on the turn with his weaker foot past the far post and Mohamed Salah criminally failing to even trouble Neuer with a free header having diverted an earlier volley straight at the goalkeeper.The closest either side came to scoring was when Matip diverted Serge Gnabry’s cross into the chest of Alisson from point-blank range with the Brazilian knowing little about it.Makeshift centre-back Fabinho continued to grow into the role he had only previously performed against Brighton’s Glenn Murray last month while in front of him Jordan Henderson was putting in a captain’s performance. Offensively his passing exposed the Bayern backline while his willingness to track back meant he was a key defensive player also.Klopp had written in his programme notes that anyone who had written off Bayern, second in Bundesliga just three points behind his former club Borussia Dortmund, this season risked looking silly.While they are not a vintage side, missing Arjen Robben with Franck Ribery only on the bench, they have vast experience at this level, reaching at least the semi-final six times in the last seven years – winning once – with the one ‘failure’ being only the last eight in 2017.It is why they still present such an obstacle in this competition and Gnabry’s shot just over the crossbar early in the second half proved that.4

Alisson made a point-blank save to prevent Matip inadvertently giving Bayern an early lead

However, the hosts began to dominate midfield possession, led once again by the excellent Henderson, without carving out a real chance against a defence which looked shambolic against Augsburg on Friday.Mane’s stooping header five minutes from time was the closest they came but Neuer handled it comfortably.That may be something of a concern for Klopp heading into Sunday’s match at resurgent arch-rivals Manchester United, a game which could take them back to the top of the Premier League.4

Mane was Liverpool’s brightest spark going forward but should have been more clinical in the first-half

---

Eden Hazard will be handed the no.7 shirt at Real Madrid when his £115million transfer is eventually completed, according to reports. The Chelsea ace wants the deal wrapped up as soon as possible - as does Bernabeu president Florentino Perez.
Chelsea transfer news: Eden Hazard to get Cristiano Ronaldo's

---

WHAT A SIGHT The second test event saw saw Tottenham Legends take on Inter Forever and the Spurs faithful and Ardiles took the opportunity to gush about the club's new home Tottenham's slick new stadium saw its first piece of football last weekend and it wowed all those who attended including talkSPORT's Ian Abrahams, who […]
'Simply the best' - Tottenham fans and former player Ossie

---

Unai Emery's Arsenal press conference: Keylor Navas transfer rumour, FA Cup history, Man City vs Liverpool Written by: fpnews Posted on: January 4, 2019 Arsenal begin their quest to win a fourth FA Cup crown in six seasons when they make the trip to Blackpool for their third round tie.
Keylor Navas transfer rumour, FA Cup history, Man City vs

---

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League match preview, confirmed teams and live talkSPORT commentary. Click here for the Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur live stream. Team news.
Chelsea vs Tottenham: TV channel, live stream, team news

---

Middlesbrough's search for a new manager has reached a third week, and odds are continuing to fluctuate in the market to find Tony Pulis' replacement. A week ago former Fulham and Watford boss
Odds tumble on Liam Rosenior to become Middlesbrough's next

---

Real Madrid transfer news: Sergio Ramos requests free

---

Liverpool news: Jordan Henderson says he will play centre-back against Bayern Munich if necessary The Reds are without Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren for the Champions League last-16 showdown at
Liverpool news: Fabinho set to play centre-back vs Bayern

---

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker reprised a favourite 2018 World Cup meme to seemingly poke fun at Premier League title rivals Liverpool. Walker and City were indebted to his England team-mate
Walker's Maguire tweet poking fun at Liverpool deleted

---

Manchester United opinion: Should the Red Devils sign Ruben Dias? According to a report from the Mirror, Manchester United have begun negotiations with Benfica for the transfer of their highly
Manchester United considering move for three midfielders

---

Valencia vs Manchester United highlights and reaction as Marcus Rashford scores after Phil Jones own goal. Man Utd lossed against Valencia in their final Champions League group stage game after
Champions League live: Manchester City v Lyon, Young Boys v

---

FORMER Liverpool and Newcastle star Jose Enrique has given an update on his recovery from brain surgery. The 32-year was diagnosed with chordoma, a rare type of tumour that usually occurs in the
Jose Enrique opens up on secret battle with brain tumour as

---

When it was first reported, Lucas Hernandez to Bayern Munich seemed like it would be a story of the window. The notion that the Germans would go after the young, athletic Atlético Madrid center-back seemed like a perfect move to shore up a defense lacking in both pace and personnel. However, recent
Mats Hummels' agent speaks out on potential Premier League

---

Leicester City have made a move to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Brais Mendez, who scored on his debut for Spain this week. Cadena Cope report the Foxes have registered interest in the 21-year-old but Celta referred them to his â ¬25m release clause at the club.
Brais Méndez #23 News, Stats, Photos - Celta de Vigo

---

Wayne Rooney is back at St George's Park ahead of his final appearance for England in a fundraising friendly against the United States. The DC United striker, who has revitalised his career in MLS
Dropped England captain Wayne Rooney accepts 'I'm no longer

---

Apr 05, 2019 · Leagues, clubs to meet for tricky Champions League talks. Leaders of the top European leagues and clubs will hold talks next month on Champions League reforms that could cause a split at the upper
Leagues, clubs to meet for tricky Champions League talks

---