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Liverpool swatted aside Bayern Munich’s challenge to book their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The 3-1 victory on Wednesday coupled with the 0-0 score-line from the first leg sent the Reds through on aggregate.
The home side enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening exchanges. However, the German side couldn’t dent their English counterparts and they fell behind in the 26th minute.
A superb long-ball by Virgil van Dijk found Sadio Mane deep inside Bayern territory. The Senegalese expertly escaped the attention of Rafinha and Manuel Neuer to dink the ball over the retreating defenders.
The hosts though hit back thirteen minutes later when Joel Matip put one through his own net.
With the tie level at 1-1 and Liverpool advancing on the away goal rule, many expected Bayern to turn the screw in the second period. Yet, it was the away side who made all the running after the break.
The visitors were rewarded in the 69th minute when van Dijk towered above everyone else to power home a header. The result was finally put beyond doubt by Mane six minutes from time with another headed finish.
Here is a look at five talking points from the game:
#5. Liverpool put in an accomplished away performance
Liverpool has been wretched on the road in the Champions League this season. Having lost each of their away group games, the Reds’ faithful were left fearing the worst when they travelled to Munich. However, Jurgen Klopp’s men put those away ghosts to bed with an emphatic victory.
From the outset, Liverpool looked quicker and moved the ball with intent. Their plan of stifling the hosts’ passing worked to perfection with their midfield standing up to be counted.
The likes of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner covered every blade of grass and didn’t allow Thiago and Javi Martinez to dictate the tempo of the game.
In the attacking third, the away side waited for their chances and took their opportunities with aplomb.
However, the most impressive aspect of their display was their defensive solidity. In previous encounters away from Anfield, the Reds had looked susceptible defensively. Yet, in the biggest European game of their season, they came up trumps with Van Dijk at the heart of a sturdy performance.
Before the match at the Allianz Arena, Liverpool had lost five on the road in the Champions League, dating back to the defeat to Roma last season. Yet, when push came to shove, Klopp’s men stood strong in the face of adversity to script a convincing victory.
#4. Manuel Neuer’s moment of madness costs Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer has been around the higher echelons of the goalkeeping circle for the better part of this decade. However, as the years have gone by, the frequency of high-profile errors in his game has worryingly crept up. And with another mistake against Liverpool on Wednesday, the discussions regarding his decline aren’t going to cease anytime soon.
Mane was released by a sublime through ball by Van Dijk in the 26th minute. The former had Rafinha for company and had his task cut out trying to outwit the Brazilian.
However, Neuer made things easy for Mane by rushing out and giving him the chance to beat him. The Senegalese did so with ease and made the net bulge.
For the opening twenty minutes, Bayern hadn’t set the world alight with their play but they hadn’t been exposed defensively as well. Yet, Neuer’s dubious decision making gifted Liverpool the initiative.
In recent times, the German’s place among the world’s elite keepers has been openly questioned. And displays like today aren’t helping his case.
Neuer is clearly on the wane and if he fails to rediscover his form of yesteryear, Bayern could be forced to look for a replacement very soon.
#3. Bayern Munich’s toothless attack rears its ugly head
Bayern Munich came into the game on the back of a 6-0 thrashing of Wolfsburg. A game earlier, they had scored 5 past Borussia Monchengladbach. Hence, there was genuine optimism in Munich that the Bavarians’ attacking prowess could lead them past Liverpool.
However, on Wednesday, they looked completely bereft of ideas and deservedly exited Europe.
Niko Kovac started Franck Ribery and Serge Gnabry on the wings with the former returning from an injury. Though the latter kept Andrew Robertson honest throughout, the Frenchman had a game to forget. Thus, indicating that Bayern might have to look at better alternatives in the summer.
James Rodriguez was another player who was on the periphery. The Colombian was denied space between the midfield and the defence by Liverpool. Hence, he was consigned to play horizontal passes instead of vertical through balls.
Yet, the most disappointing player on the night was Robert Lewandowski. Considered one of Europe’s best marksmen, the Polish international again went missing in a big game. The striker’s movement was shabby and his first touch let him down on several occasions.
Over the years, Bayern has been one of the most effervescent attacking sides in Europe. However, against Liverpool, they were anything but that. And if they harbour hopes of returning to the pinnacle of the Champions League, they simply need to cut out such toothless displays.
#2. Sadio Mane sparkles in Munich
Liverpool’s famed front three comprising Roberto Firmino, Mohammed Salah and Mane has been one of their most potent weapons in the past couple of seasons. Yet, this term, the trio has blown hot and cold.
However, come the crunch game in Munich, Mane rose to the occasion and conjured a sensational performance.
The Senegalese was a constant thorn in Bayern’s defence and caused the hosts all sorts of problems with his trickery on the ball. Rafinha endured a torrid time trying to contain Mane with the latter getting the better of the former to open the scoring.
The forward doubled his tally for the night late into the game when Salah’s perfectly weighted cross found him unmarked at the back post.
Apart from the goals, Mane put in a real shift defensively and was on hand to help out his full-backs. Moreover, his constant energy helped Liverpool press Bayern high and disrupt their offensive play.
In recent weeks, the Reds have been crying out for one of their stars to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and tilt it in their favour. Fortunately, their prayers were answered by the mercurial Mane in Munich.
And on a night where most eyes were trained on a certain Egyptian, Sadio stole the show.
#1. Liverpool’s European dream lives on
Liverpool has endured a topsy-turvy European campaign so far. Having won their opening game against Paris Saint-Germain at home, they very nearly undid their good work courtesy defeats at Napoli, PSG and Red Star Belgrade. However, they scraped through to the Round of 16 by virtue of a tense 1-0 win in their last group game.
The knock-out tie too followed a similar theme with the Reds not at their best in the first leg. Thus, the onus was on them to prevent an away capitulation to keep themselves in the hunt. And boy, didn’t they do that.
Liverpool produced arguably their best away performance of the season and kept Bayern at an arm’s length throughout the game. Hence, highlighting that they might have devised the formula to handle pressure.
Though much sterner tests await the Merseyside outfit, there was enough in the Round of 16 tie to suggest that they are among the favourites for the tournament.
While Liverpool fans would readily substitute their Champions League escapade for a Premier League crown, not many would be complaining if they make their second consecutive European final.
After all, Klopp and Liverpool crave trophies and a cup competition like the Champions League could well end up quenching that thirst for good.
