By Aaron McNally
This is going to be an epic battle.
After one of the more entertaining nil-nil draws in Anfield two weeks ago, Liverpool and Bayern Munich descend upon the spectacular Allianz Arena in Munich tonight as they prepare for what promises to be an enthralling second leg contest.
Liverpool looked a bit shakier than usual at the back in the first leg which is understandable considering they were missing the rock at the heart of that defence, Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman returns for the Reds tonight but midfielder Naby Keita is ruled out through injury.
Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich are both ruled out through suspension while the German side will also be without Arjen Robben and Corentin Tolisso because of injury. Young attacker Kingsley Coman is also an injury doubt.
Bayern are missing more players for tonight’s contest than their English counterparts but Niko Kovac’s side have arguably the better strength in depth.
Here we look at the probable lineups and where the game will be won and lost.
It will be interesting to see how the Bayern defence can cope with the potent Liverpool attack. A rather admirable job was done the last day by the back four as they repelled Liverpool’s front three.
Another thing to look out for will be Liverpool’s defence. The returning Van Dijk should strengthen it up big time but there will be plenty of questions asked about Matip and the Munich attack will look to exploit that area. Bayern will be desperate not to concede in this game.
If Liverpool score, Bayern need to win the game. If it stays at nil-all, extra time will be calling and with all the players Bayern are without for tonight, I’m sure Niko Kovac would take the extra period of 30 minutes.
The last time out, Liverpool’s full-back pairing of Robertson and Alexander Arnold did were not in full flow and didn’t provide the attacking width that Liverpool lacked.
They will need to be a lot more creative and dangerous going forward tonight if Klopp’s men want to be the fourth English team in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
As well as getting their fullbacks forward, Liverpool will know that if they’re to win this game they need to feed their ever dangerous front three. With Kimmich missing from that right side of defence, Mane will surely smell blood as he goes up against the shaky Rafinha.
On the other side, David Alaba will have to step up if he’s to quell the threat of the lethal Egyptian winger, Mo Salah. This area is key for Liverpool if they’re to come away from Munich victorious.
There will also be a decision made by Kovac on whether to bring Jerome Boateng back into the team or to leave Sule and Hummels there in the center of the defence.
Bayern will also look to their Polish marksman, Robert Lewandowski up front to provide the goals while the trio just behind him will also be crucial.
Ribery could return to the starting XI to replace the injured Coman, while former Arsenal man, Serge Gnabry was good in the first leg and will look to perform just as well tonight.
It’s all set up to be an absolutely cracking game and it’s all to play for with the stakes very high for the winner.
