Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich - Surprisingly no goals in this 1st leg encounter! - Match Review

I did worry when I ended my Match Preview post about this game with the words "this one could really become a goal-fest." that it could be the kiss of death and the game would end up goalless. Both sides came into the game with defensive problems and both are in possession of some of the greatest attacking players on the planet so you could probably see why I felt there would be goals. Despite all that though, it was a 0-0 draw and even more remarkably Bayern didn't even muster 1 single shot on target (not from one of their own players anyway). A case can be made for either side who the 0-0 result was better for but I do believe Liverpool managing to prevent an away goal may prove to be the key to progressing into the next round.

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There was good news for both managers ahead of the game as Jurgen Klopp was able to play Roberto Firmino who'd missed training the previous day with a virus while Niko Kovac had Kingsley Coman declared fit to play after concerns he may not have been fit. Fabinho played as a central defender in place of the suspended Virgil van Dijk as Klopp went with the 4-3-3 hoping the pace and movement of Mane, Salah and Firmino up front would be too much for Bayern to handle. Bayern also set up in a 4-3-3 and with Leon Goretzka picking up an injury he was replaced by James Rodriguez in the middle with Thiago either side of Javi Martinez.

The game got off to a bit of a cagey start with most of the action coming when the goalkeepers had the ball at their feet, at first it was Neuer heavily under pressure from Liverpool's attackers giving him no time to pick passes and they almost harrassed him into making mistakes a couple of times but he just about got away with them. Soon after the ball was up the other end of the field and this time it was Alisson under threat when a pass to Matip was unexpectedly played back to him and intercepted but Bayern failed to capitalise on the error. Around the 12th minute, we saw the first and really the only clear cut chance in the game when Liverpool captain played a sweet long ball forward after seeing Mo Salah bursting forward into the box. Salah arrived in the box as the ball fell perfectly for him but the usually deadly Egyptian failed to connect with the ball cleanly and the effort was easily gathered by the Bayern keeper.

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It wasn't long after that Bayern would have their best chance to score when Serge Gnabry picked the ball up on the right wing for Bayern and skipped by Andy Robertson to carry the ball into the penalty area. The winger fizzed in a cross towards Lewandowski but Joel Matip managed to get his boot to it before the Polish forward. Matip however, could only deflect the ball towards the Liverpool goal where it smashed against Alisson. It was a great stop by the Liverpool keeper and saved his teammate the embarrassment of scoring an own goal. The threat remained for a few minutes after that with Bayern getting the ball into the box a couple of times but it was eventually ended after a shot from Kimmich was blocked by Keita and bounced out of play for a throw-in.

Liverpool went on to create a host of chances throughout the rest of the game including a couple of spectacular overhead kick attempts from Keita and Mane but both were hit spectacularly off target. The pair were also involved in another nearly moment for Liverpool about 30 minutes in when Keita struck a shot from outside the box, it was blocked by Sule but deflected to Mane inside the area but he hit the shot well wide. Replays showed that the ball actually deflected from Sule's arm but I don't believe it justified a penalty as it was unintentional and there was little he could have done to prevent it.

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In the second half, Bayern seemed much more in control. Rodriguez, Thiago and Martinez in midfield played a really disciplined and defensive game, all working their socks off for the team and preventing Liverpool's attacking players from being able to run into space and exploit the weakened back four. They did everything to stop Liverpool, a lot which was within the rules and some that weren't but I don't really have a problem with that and it was by no means a violent game. Liverpool did get one chance late on in the game from a Sadio Mane header after some great play between Salah and Firmino. It was crossed into the box at speed and Mane had to get down low to direct it towards goal but it was tipped around the post by the hand of the German goalkeeper.

It's all set up for what should be a thrilling 2nd leg in Germany in 3 weeks time, the away goals rule means that score draws will see Liverpool advance and so the pressure is heavily on Bayern. That Liverpool managed to maintain a clean sheet without Van Dijk is an amazing achievement and the Dutch defender will be eligible for the next game. Meanwhile, thanks to a yellow card picked up by Kimmich for a foul in this game Bayern will have to play the 2nd leg without one of their most instrumental players.

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Before the 2nd leg, Liverpool have to focus their attention back onto their pursuit for their first Premier League title. This Sunday they visit Old Trafford home of their fiercest rivals Manchester United where they will hope to reclaim their position at the top of the league.