LONDON • While Jurgen Klopp's prediction of a "blockbuster" between two five-time champions of Europe proved misplaced, his warning about the enduring strength of old adversaries Bayern Munich did not.
Wise heads rather than old legs told for the German champions, who were disciplined and measured in their approach, as Liverpool were frustrated 0-0 at Anfield on Tuesday for the first time in this season's Champions League.
While the goal-less draw in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie was not "the result we dreamt of", the German remains confident of progressing to the quarter-finals when they travel to the Allianz Arena on March 13.
He told reporters: "It is not a game we will remember in 30 years (but) it's the result we have and we will work with that.
"In Germany, we say it is like the Homburger Shooting, a big ballyhoo before the game and then not really a lot of things happen in the game. It was an intense one.
"But in the first half, we still had the chances. And, as it always is, a goal would have changed things.
"It was a clean sheet without the big man (Virgil van Dijk was suspended). A lot of people wouldn't have expected that. The defending was good. A lot of things were really good, I'm not over the moon but I'm completely OK with the game.
HUGE LOSS
It's a big loss. Rafinha, who is very trusted, will play but he doesn't give the attacking threat that Kimmich does. Arguably their best player over the past two seasons... they're going to need to score at home, and he's their greatest source of assists.
OWEN HARGREAVES, on the suspension of Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich for the second leg.
"Day by day, the result will feel better for us."
Although Liverpool posed plenty of problems at the other end, with Sadio Mane wasting their best chance, the final ball often lacked precision and Klopp admitted his side "can play better".
The German added: "We made life more difficult with the last pass today about 10 or 12 times."
However, their lack of fluency had much to do with Bayern's defensive block and the Reds are expecting a similar challenge from Niko Kovac's men in Germany, with Klopp calling on his players "to show we are proper in the competition in three weeks".
Although Bayern have not hit the heights of previous years in the Bundesliga this season, trailing Borussia Dortmund by three points in their quest to land a seventh straight league title, the Bavarian giants are still canny opponents.
Coach Kovac was delighted at the way his team, who have made the last eight for the past seven terms, "as a whole kept everything tight at the back".
He said: "I can't remember that many clubs that have not conceded at Anfield. The way that Liverpool play, they are a sensationally good team.
"We didn't score but we didn't let one in. Home games are an advantage, we play in front of 75,000, but we know if we concede, we have to win."
But while Liverpool have lost all of their last five Champions League games away from Anfield, including last season's final, they will be boosted by the return of van Dijk.
Also, Bayern will not be able to field defender Joshua Kimmich in the return leg after he picked up his third yellow card of the campaign.
Former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves told BT Sport Kimmich's ban "could change everything".
He added: "It's a big loss. Rafinha, who is very trusted, will play but he doesn't give the attacking threat that Kimmich does.
"Arguably their best player over the past two seasons... they're going to need to score at home, and he's their greatest source of assists."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Pep Guardiola wants the pain of Manchester City's gut-wrenching Champions League elimination at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to inspire a charge for an unprecedented domestic treble.
Guardiola hopes Champions League pain spurs on Manchester
Liverpool kept the pressure on Manchester City in a gripping race for the English Premier League title with a dramatic 3-2 win away to Newcastle on Saturday.. Victory saw Liverpool, fresh from their 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat by Barcelona, return to the top of the table and lead City, who still have two games to play, by two points.
Liverpool back on top with Newcastle win but lose Salah
Chelsea backroom staff 'convinced they are set for Stamford Bridge axe' along with manager Maurizio Sarri. Chelsea's backroom staff are expecting to face the sack at the end of the season
Coach Sarri insists he can avoid Chelsea axe
desktop.gulf-times.com/story/622832/Coach-Sarri-insists-he-can-avoid-Chelsea-axe
Maurizio Sarri insists he expects to avoid being sacked as Chelsea manager if his troubled side can put together a sustained winning run. Reports yesterday claimed Sarri will be axed if Chelsea are beaten in any of their next three matches after losing the backing of the club's hierarchy.
Maurizio Sarri admits job is at risk as beleaguered boss
(In the statistics below, "astronaut" is applied to all space travellers to avoid the use of "astronaut/cosmonaut".) During spaceflight. As of December 2018, in-flight accidents have killed 18 astronauts, in four separate incidents. The current statistical fatality rate is 3.2 percent.
Molly Parker On How Deadwood Set the Stage for Lost in Space
Nov 29, 2018 · Pochettino says Spurs can beat Barcelona and make knockout round This article is more than 5 months old • Champions League win over Inter gives Tottenham belief
Champions League final: 'Liverpool have more weapons than
Hundreds of people bid farewell to Emiliano Sala (Gustavo Garello/Getty Images) His body was pulled from the wreckage on February 7 but the British pilot, David Ibbotson, 59, from Lincolnshire
Google Keep Google Keep is a note-taking service developed by
New Homes For Sale In Dallas | HISTORYMAKER Homes
Jürgen Klopp accepts Liverpool face a 'big challenge' as they attempt to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit against FC Barcelona tonight - but insisted his side are not finished in the tie. Despite a strong display, the Reds suffered a 3-0 reversal in last week's first meeting at Camp
Liverpool News: Why the Reds must go all out for Donny van de
Blues expect hard time at Fulham after Ranieri exit LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has backed the sacked Claudio Ranieri to come back stronger, at the same time warning his players to expect a strong reaction today from Fulham following the departure of his fellow Italian.
Latest FULHAM | The Straits Times
Bangladesh has arrested a senior FIFA official for allegedly defaming the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.. Mahfuza Akhter, a FIFA council member since 2017 and national chief of women's football, had told in a TV talk show last month that Prime Minister Hasina had neglected football in the cricket-mad country.
Bangladesh Detains FIFA official for 'defaming' PM Hasina
Football: Man City suffer shock Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts on the touchline during the match. PHOTO: AFP
Man City suffer shock Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace
His tenure may had lasted only two matches but, in his short time in charge, Nazri Nasir had made his mark as the Singapore national team's caretaker coach. Armed with a clear plan for attacking football, unshakeable belief in his men and inspiring team talks, the Lions (world ranking 165) punched above their weight and took Oman (world ranking
Woman taken to hospital after being hit by falling glass door
England recovered from an early scare in Montenegro as Ross Barkley scored twice in a clinical 5-1 victory to continue their strong start to the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign on Monday.
England thrash Montenegro 5-1 after early scare | Free
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala. The player's body was recovered from the submerged wreckage on 7 February but 59-year-old Ibbotson remains missing.
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to
Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away to neighbours Juventus for 24 years as the two sides drew 1-1 in Serie A on Friday. Sasa Lukic stunned the recently
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino - ewn.co.za
0 comments:
Post a Comment