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In a high-profile game of two blistering attacking vanguards, Liverpool host Bayern Munich at the Anfield on Tuesday night in their first-ever meeting of the Champions League era.
Both teams boast a prolific frontline, share a glorious part in the competition, while the complete obscurity of the fixture is the frosting on the cake. However, they have traversed starkly contrasting paths to reach here.
While Liverpool had to battle it out against PSG and Napoli in the group of death, the Bavarians were handed a cakewalk against AEK Athens, Benfica and Ajax. However, both teams are favourites in the competition but one of them would hit the dead end by the end of the second leg.
Without further ado, let's delve through a starry line-up featuring the best of both Liverpool and Bayern ahead of the mouth-watering clash:
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Just over six months in, Liverpool's £67 million outlay for Alisson can already be deduced as among the best piece of businesses.
The Brazilian has taken to new surroundings like a fish to water, producing a string of remarkable saves - most notably against Napoli in the Champions League decider at Anfield that helped the Reds progress to the last 16.
Alisson has turned out to be a panacea to Liverpool's long-ailing goalkeeping woes, as his arrival has not only banished the bitter Loris Karius memories but also turned this side into one of the meanest in Europe.
He boasts the highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League with 14 from 26 games and has also made 17 saves in the Champions League from six appearances as Liverpool avoided a potential humiliation of an early exit.
Alisson would be crucial in shutting out Bayern's fearsome attacking vanguard.
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich
To ostracize a precocious talent like Trent Alexander-Arnold would seem unfair, but Kimmich has been in a league of his own. Bayern's rising star etched his name as the best young fullback last season and recommenced this term from where he left off.
He has a staggering 13 assists to his name, 10 in the league and two in Europe, as his buccaneering blazes down the flank have added an extra edge to Bayern's attack. His chronic penchant to drift ahead may sometimes leave gaps to exploit, but his positional awareness ensures he's in his expanse when the opposition is in attack.
Centre-back: Niklas Sule
Germany have several new and budding talents readying to restore the fallen giants back to its former glory, and Bayern's Sule is among the cream of the crop. The 23-year old is rising in prominence at the heart of their defence with a series of impeccable performances.
He averages 2.5 clearances per game in Europe (three in Bundesliga) and another 2.5 interceptions.
Now that's a testament to his excellent vision, vigilance and ability to sniff danger. Besides, he is also tough to beat in the air and his passing is just terrific with 91.3% accuracy (93 in Bundesliga) and that helps Bayern build from the back or during counter-attacking situations.
Centre-back: Matts Hummels
With Virgil van Dijk ruled out of the Anfield leg through suspension, Sule will be partnered here (and in the game) by his teammate and compatriot Hummels, who although hasn't consistently been at his best, reserved most of it for Champions League nights.
Hummels averages more than three times the tackles in this competition than in the league (3.8 to 1.1) whilst also marginally making more clearances (3 to 2.4). Heck, he scored his only goal of the season so far in the 1-1 draw to Ajax on matchday two.
His fairytale run though would be put through the wringer at Anfield.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson
One of the unsung heroes of Liverpool's impressive 2017/18 season, Robertson has taken to the new campaign without any hiccups and continued in the same vein.
He has eight assists to his name, six in the Premier League and two in the Champions League, all the while dispatching his defensive duties with aplomb, averaging 2.5 tackles a game and almost two clearances in this competition.
Robertson has grown into an indispensable member of Liverpool's backline for his versatility, and would definitely do a world of good with his assistance on Tuesday night.
Defensive midfielder: Fabinho
Another major change for Liverpool would be in the midfield where Fabinho is set to come in and start only his second Champions League game of the season. We've seen him in only a bit part role so far, but Bayern Munich would be his true test of mettle.
Not to suggest the Brazilian has been any half-shabby - the £40.5 million summer signing from Monaco has in fact grown in his anchoring role, but he's yet to establish himself in Klopp's team-sheet.
Here's an opportunity to change it.
Right attacking winger: Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian deity has whipped all the "one-season wonder" chatters back into the same dungeons it emerged from with 20 goals and eight assists in all competitions so far. However, only three of those were scored during six European nights, though that includes the winner against Napoli in the deciding leg that secured Liverpool's passage into the last 16.
He was integral to his side's fortunes last year in their run-up to the finals - the club's first in 11 years - and has often turned up for the Merseysiders on big occasions like this one.
Bayern may be a different kettle of fish for Salah having never faced them before, but you could bet your bottom on him bagging another one here too.
Central midfielder: Thiago Alcantara
Now in his sixth season with Bayern, Alcantara is having another good season and likely to anchor the midfield for Niko Kovac's men in the match.
He may not find the net regularly as many others around him, but the Spaniard is the chief orchestrator of Bayern's attack. His lung-bursting dribbles (at least two per game) could be hard to deal with, while impressive passing range (88.1%) can be menacing too.
Even as Bayern bemoan the lack of stellar names such as Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery, both of whom miss out on the trip to Anfield, a lot of their fortunes could lie with Alcantara and his ability to win the midfield battle.
Left attacking winger: Sadio Mane
Like Salah, he too has struggled to get going in Europe, with a solitary goal and assist to show for his efforts so far.
But Mane remains an important figure in Klopp's set-up with his ability to cut inside and make beautiful passes. In fact, the Senegalese star averages close to two key passes per game, which is more than both his attacking cohorts in the team.
He would be the key to unlock Bayern's defence.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
Even as the Bavarians have blown hot and cold this season, their Polish hitman has not failed to produce the goods, netting 25 times in 30 appearances across all competitions, eight of which have come in the Champions League.
The German champions were drawn in an admittedly unostentatious group of AEK, Benfica and Ajax, but had their fair share of travails en route to topping the group.
Courtesy to Lewandowski's timely interventions - his double against AEK to secure all three points at home and against Ajax to salvage a 3-3 draw - any potential hiccups were averted, but would now be looking to add to that impressive tally against a Liverpool side he's never faced before.
Striker: Roberto Firmino
With Mohamed Salah having another stellar campaign, Firmino appears to have fallen through the cracks. He's struck only 11 times in 34 appearances this season - just two of which have come in the Champions League so far.
The Brazilian sharp-shooter is indeed struggling this term, but his importance to the side remains indispensable. His penchant to drift out wide allows the likes of Salah to drift in and cause havoc in the heart of the opposition defence, while his ability to lay off passes (and crosses) with precision creates plenty of opportunities.
