Liverpool clashed heads with Bayern Munich earlier tonight hoping to secure a passage through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Reds began the match looking to play on the counter, and it paid dividends as Sadio Mane gave his team the lead in the 26th minute courtesy of a world-class finish. However, the Bavarian giants came back strong and equalised just 13 minutes later when Joel Matip scored an unfortunate own goal. Both teams went in level at half-time with everything to play for in the second half.
The visitors grew into the game after the restart and managed to grab the lead once again through Virgil Van Dijk’s powerful header in the 69th minute. Sadio Mane struck again in the 84th minute to put the contest to bed. The Merseyside outfit ran out 3-1 winners on the night.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against Bayern.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7/10
The Brazilian keeper was excellent with his ball distribution and kept things tidy at the back to ensure that he didn’t concede more than one goal.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10
The youngster was average at best in the first half but came back stronger in the second half to see out the win.
CB: Joel Matip – 6/10
The Cameroonian centre-back found it difficult to cope with the threat of Robert Lewandowski. He was also guilty of scoring an unfortunate own goal which will disappoint him.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 8/10
The Dutch defender was not his usual best in defence, but he still managed to score the decisive second goal with his powerful header.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 6/10
The Scottish full-back worked hard for his team and was a wonderful outlet for Liverpool down the left flank. However, he lost track of Serge Gnabry in the lead up to the Bayern goal and also got cautioned in the dying embers of the contest which will rule him out of the next European match.
CM: Jordan Henderson – N/A
The Reds skipper went off with an injury within the first quarter of the match.
CM: James Milner – 7/10
The English midfielder was poor in the first half, but he was a completely different player in the second. Milner grew into the game and made some fantastic unselfish runs behind the Bayern defence which helped create space for the likes of Mane, Salah and Firmino to exploit in the opposition half.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6.5/10
The Dutch talent worked hard for his side but lacked the cutting edge going forward.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 7/10
The Egyptian winger made some brilliant darting runs in the second half and was unfortunate not to score during this clash. However, he keeps improving with each game as evidenced by his beautiful through-ball for Mane’s second goal.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 6/10
The Brazilian forward worked his socks off but didn’t get much joy while up against Mats Hummels.
LM: Sadio Mane – 9/10
The Senegalese speedster opened the goal-scoring with a fantastic turn and a majestic finish. He was also there towards the end of the game when he finished off a great chance with a well-timed header from point-blank range.
Substitutes:
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
The Brazilian did the defensive dirty work in midfield and impressed a lot of people with his performance tonight. He is getting better with each game which will please Jurgen Klopp.
ST: Divock Origi – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
ST: Adam Lallana – N/A
He came on to run the clock down for the away team.
