Liverpool’s Champions League tie against Bayern Munich is finely poised heading into Wednesday’s second leg, locked at 0-0 after the two sides’ draw at Anfield last month.
Jurgen Klopp’s team may have the slightest of advantages, knowing that simply scoring an away goal would increase the pressure on Bayern, but an outright win for the hosts will see the Reds crash out disappointingly at the last-16 stage having made last year’s final.
Here’s a look at the key tactical talking points for Klopp to consider as he plots his side’s route to the quarter-finals. Check out our analysis of Bayern manager Niko Kovac’s tactics here.
A RETURN TO THE LIVERPOOL OF OLD FOR KLOPP
Liverpool have adjusted to playing a more patient, possession-based game at times this season as Klopp has adapted to sides sitting deep against his team and looked to conserve his players’ energy over the course of a long, grueling campaign.
But this is the perfect occasion for last season’s Liverpool to make an appearance. The counter-attacking, gegenpressing, heavy metal football that is Klopp’s forte should be perfectly suited to this game, where Bayern, playing at home and unlikely to play for a 0-0 draw and penalties, need to score.
Expect full-backs pressed up high, and Roberto Firmino leading the Reds’ front three in harassing Bayern’s defence throughout. If all goes to plan, Liverpool could replicate the 5-1 aggregate triumph over Man City in last season’s quarter-finals, blitzing Bayern en route to another famous European win.
PUSH UP HIGH AGAINST BAYERN’S FULL-BACKS
To make the counter-attack even more lethal, Klopp could instruct Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, notionally the wide players in his attack, to stay as far forward as possible, even when Liverpool are defending. Matched up against Bayern right-back Rafinha, Mane could be the one to profit the most from this tactic.
Rafinha will be a key part of Bayern’s attack, with the German side’s playing style involving the full-backs coming forward whenever they’re in possession. Stationing Mane in an advanced role would mean he could regularly catch Rafinha out of position, or force Bayern manager Niko Kovac to instruct his right-back to stay back and guard against the counter.
With Salah doing the same to Alaba on the other flank, Liverpool could neutralise both Bayern full-backs and reduce the potency of the home side’s attack – or leave themselves open on the counter.
