12 Jun 2019
As injuries bite down on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, the German has called on the home fans to push the team from ‘100% to 140%’ as they prepare to welcome German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 in the Champions League.
Rested and ready
By the time these two sides play on Tuesday night, it will have been 10 days since Liverpool last played a game, a three-nil win against Bournemouth in the Premier League. In that time the Reds have enjoyed plenty of ‘R&R’ with a spot of warm weather training in sunny Marbella.
Despite the prep time, Jurgen Klopp’s side is somewhat depleted with a number of key personnel missing through injury and suspension. Question marks over the starting line-up put Liverpool at evens to win the game.
Bayern Munich are also fairly well rested having last been in action in the Bundesliga on Friday night. Much has been made of the German champions ‘slow’ start to the season, but in recent weeks they’ve managed to cut an eight-point gap behind league leaders Borussia Dortmund to just two. Munich are undefeated in Europe this season and a price of 23/10 to win this match looks fair. The draw is available at 11/4.
A test for Klopp
For the most part teams have struggled against Liverpool’s defence this season. But, with Virgil van Dijk suspended and both Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez out with illness, Klopp is likely to play Fabinho or Jordan Henderson in a make shift backline. Changes at the back could play into the hands of the visitors and Bayern to score more than 2.5 goals looks worth a punt at 15/4.
Liverpool could also be forced to make changes upfront with Roberto Firmino a doubt having missed training on Monday with a virus. The absence of the Brazilian could let Xherdan Shaqiri back into the side. He’s a 13/2 chance to score first and 2/1 to score any time.
Klopp reunited with Lewandowski
Jurgen Klopp will come face to face with former tutelage Robert Lewandowski, who is likely to lead Bayern’s front line at Anfield. The pair enjoyed a fruitful time together at Borussia Dortmund, but the Polish international will be looking to get one over on his old boss. With 25 goals in 30 games this season, there’s value to be had in odds of 15/4 to score first.
Bayern boss Niko Kovac was boosted by the news that Kingsley Coman would be fit for the trip to Anfield. Not the most prolific in front of goal, but still a threat and worth considering to score anytime at odds of 7/2.
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