Liverpool primed for Bayern return

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes their goalless draw to Bayern Munich will set them up for the return leg.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp feels the frustration of the goal-less draw against Bayern Munich at Anfield Stadium

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes their goalless Champions League draw at home to Bayern Munich will look a lot better by the time they arrive in Germany in three weeks’ time.

A last-16, first-leg game low on quality and high on errors saw both teams, with a combined 10 European Cups, struggle to create chances with just three shots on target in 90 minutes.

Sadio Mane had the best two chances for the hosts, screwing a shot wide in the first half and then seeing a stooping header tipped away by Manuel Neuer in the final five minutes.

But while the frustration grew to levels verging on annoyance in the final quarter of the game, Klopp believes the result is not as disappointing as it may first appear.

“I am pretty sure that Bayern in this moment feels a bit better than we do,” he said.

“But we have three weeks and day by day the result will feel a bit better for us and a bit worse for Bayern because it’s a 0-0 and it’s the best draw you can get.

“It will be a tough one again to play at Bayern if you need a result. If we had won 1-0 what would have changed really?

“Then a 0-0 over there would have been enough or if we draw 1-1 but that’s now enough as well. So not perfect but good enough.”

Both teams had key players missing — most significantly for Liverpool the suspended Virgil Van Dijk — and Klopp expects things to be different in Munich on March 13.

Despite the dull draw, however, he has not changed his mind about his former Bundesliga rivals.

“I would be really silly if I would have seen weaknesses and I would say now: ‘Yes, (they will have) problems at home’,” he added.

“They don’t have problems, really. We will see who is fit that night, that’s for us important and for them important.

“Bayern had a couple of problems obviously tonight - (Leon) Goretzka I am pretty sure will play that game, maybe Arjen Robben is then fit.

“That could make a big difference as well with his experience, maybe (Franck) Ribery starts.

“So there are a lot of things that can change but we will have a player (Van Dijk) back at least.”

PA