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Football

19th Feb 2019

Player ratings as Liverpool play out goalless draw with Bayern Munich

Robert Redmond

Liverpool 0 Bayern Munich 0.

Jurgen Klopp’s side played out a goalless draw with the German side on Tuesday evening at Anfield in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

From the neutrals’ point of view, it was a dour game featuring countless mistakes and just one shot on target. However, neither team will be too disappointed, as both will fancy their chances in the second-leg.

Here is how we rated the Liverpool players:

Alisson Becker – 5.5

The Liverpool goalkeeper could have cost his team with a careless piece of play in the first half, losing the ball in his own penalty area before Kingsley Coman’s shot hit the side-netting.

Alisson, like the rest of Liverpool’s defence, looked uneasy in the opening spell of the game but he was never really tested by Bayern. There was only one shot on target between the two teams in the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 

After recently returning to the side after a spell out injured, Alexander-Arnold coped well with the pace of Coman.

Joel Matip – 6

Matip read the game well and made his fair share of interceptions and clearances. But it was a comfortable night for the Liverpool defence as Bayern lacked any spark going forward.

Fabinho – 6

The Brazilian midfielder was forced to play in central defence because of Virgil van Dijk’s suspension. After a shaky start, when he and his teammates in Liverpool’s back-four looked uncomfortable, Fabinho grew into the game.

He was strong in the air, neat in possession and helped keep Robert Lewandowski quiet. The Bayern striker had the fewest touches of any player who started the game (34).

Andy Robertson – 6

Robertson had a nervous start but improved as the game progressed. The Liverpool full-back, on another day, could easily have had registered two assists. He set up Sadio Mane from two crosses but the forward couldn’t finish the chances.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7

Wijnaldum started the strongest of Liverpool’s midfielders. Neat in possession and aggressive without the ball, the Dutch midfielder drove his team forward and brought the forwards into the game in the first half.

Jordan Henderson – 7.5

Henderson was the home side’s best player.

The Liverpool midfielder passed the ball well and created one of the best chances of the game with a pinpoint ball over the top to Mohamed Salah. The disjointed nature of the game suited Henderson.

Naby Keita – 6.5

This was one of Keita’s better performances for Liverpool. He recovered the ball on several occasions, completed some impressive dribbles and had some efforts on the Bayern goal.

However, Keita’s passing let him down at key moments – particularly in the second half when Liverpool were through on Bayern’s goal in a potential three on two situation.

Both of Keita’s pass attempts to Robinson were poor and the move broke down.

Sadio Mane – 5

Mane had the only shot of the game on target and was the most involved of Liverpool’s forwards. But he missed the best chance of the match in the first half with a scuffed shot in the Bayern penalty area.

Mohamed Salah – 5

Salah was on the edge of the game and struggled to find space as Bayern retreated and attempted to play on the counter-attack.

Roberto Firmino – 6

Firmino passed a late fitness and was the best of Liverpool’s three forwards on the night – which isn’t saying a lot.

The Brazilian, especially in the first-half, linked play well and was involved in Liverpool’s more threatening moments. His performance faded as the game went on.

Substitutes:

James Milner & Divock Origi – N/A

Both came on for the final 15 minutes but had no impact on the game.

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