We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Tuesday, on the eve of the Reds’ Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Liverpool’s Confirmed Squad for Bayern
Liverpool have confirmed their 21-man squad to fly to Munich for tomorrow night’s decider.
Naby Keita misses out with a minor injury, while Rafa Camacho, Ben Woodburn and Rhian Brewster are omitted despite training on Tuesday:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mignolet, Kelleher
Defenders: Van Dijk, Matip, Lovren, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Moreno, Phillips
Midfielders: Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Lallana
Forwards: Salah, Mane, Firmino, Shaqiri, Sturridge, Origi
Nat Phillips makes the cut, however, providing defensive cover for Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren.
Neuer Wary Of Liverpool Threat
Manuel Neuer will start for Bayern on Wednesday, despite suffering from an ongoing thumb injury.
The legendary goalkeeper knows full well what kind of a threat Liverpool will pose, adding that Mohamed Salah‘s dip in goalscoring form is irrelevant.
“In general Liverpool is one of the strongest teams on the counter,” Neuer told reporters.
“We tried to stop them playing that at Anfield.
“We have to make sure we defend well from our own corners, don’t let them get a dangerous counter. We want to take the lead.
“Because [Salah] only scores one in the last eight doesn’t mean anything. Liverpool can score from anywhere.”
Bayern were defensive-minded at Anfield, but their likely attacking approach could play into the Reds’ hands at the Allianz.
Klopp Calls for “Exceptional” Performance
A place in the quarter-finals is at stake on Wednesday, as Liverpool aim to go one better than last season and win the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp is under no illusions about the threat the hosts with pose in Munich, telling LiverpoolFC.com that the Reds will need to be “exceptional” to progress:
“They are in a different moment now obviously, it’s a much more positive moment for Bayern—top of the table again, winning games comfortably again and all that stuff.
“So they are really back on track…if they ever left the track.
“I like that, not because I think it’s easier, just because it shows you in the analysis how strong they are.
“We are strong enough to give them a proper game and that’s the only thing you can expect in a situation like that, in a good situation.
“That’s what I’m thinking about: how can we cause them problems they have never had in the season so far against other opponents?
“They have, of course, really strong opponents but if we are at our best we can be exceptional.
“But we have to be, actually—if we play a normal game there we have no chance and then we should go out.”
Kovac Has No Issue With Klopp
Bayern head coach Niko Kovac and Klopp are both passionate characters, with a few cross words exchanged in the first leg at Anfield.
Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday, however, the Croatian insisted it is just part of their character, with nothing personal between the pair:
“We are both high-tempered. We need that in football. Jurgen won’t change that and I won’t either.
“We both try to guide and help our team as far as we can on the sidelines. We can prepare our players beforehand but during the match is difficult.
“Everything is fine between me and Jurgen. We don’t have to discuss it again.”
Klopp will be fired up to overcome Bayern, having made it clear he didn’t have too much time for them during his Borussia Dortmund days.
Bayern Duo Passed Fit
Bayern pair David Alaba and Kingsley Coman will be available for the second leg, having recovered from injury problems.
Speaking about Alaba, Kovac said: “We will have the final training today and I think he will be starting. He is mentally and physically fit to help the team.”
Coman won’t definitely start despite overcoming a hamstring issue, however, meaning Franck Ribery and Serge Gnabry could be the picks out wide.
Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller are both suspended for the hosts.
Salah’s ‘Sacrifice’ for Liverpool Fans
Salah may be suffering a goal drought by his high standards, but he has still been excellent in two of Liverpool’s last three games, against Watford and Burnley.
Although he admits winning the Champions League is his personal dream, the Egyptian showcased his likeable character by saying he wants Premier League glory for the Reds supporters.
“I will be honest with you, the most prestigious competition for me is the Champions League. But the dream for the entire city and the club is the league.
“So, I am happy to sacrifice my dream for their dream but if we win both that would great and this is what we are trying to do.
“The competition is very tough and we have difficult games left as do [City]. All you can do is win your games and hopefully they will fail in one so we can win the title.
“My mind is sharp and there is pressure but I am strong mentally and we just have to keep going.
“We will see what we can do at the end of the season but mentally I am ready for everything.”
There is, of course, still a big chance of silverware in both…
