Liverpool travel to Germany this week to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The two teams are locked at nil-nil following their first leg draw at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side go into the fixture on the back of a big win in the Premier League against Burnley. The Reds were victorious in an exciting 4-2 game that took them within one point of league leaders Manchester City.
Bayern Munich vs. Liverpool: Will this small detail doom the Reds in Germany?
Despite going into the Wednesday night’s game with momentum, the Reds could be doomed in Germany due to one small detail.
While Liverpool played at midday on Sunday, their Champions League last-16 opponents, Bayern Munich, kicked off 21.5 hours earlier at the Allianz Arena against Wolfsburg.
Bayern hammered Wolfsburg 6-0 with goals from Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski, James Rodriguez, Thomas Muller, and Joshua Kimmich.
The Germans moved to the top of the Bundesliga table with the win. They are now level on points but ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.
Due to Bayern’s game starting nearly a day prior to Liverpool’s, they will have had more rest than the Reds. The added rest could give Bayern an upper-hand in the tie, especially playing at home.
Liverpool have struggled on the road in the Champions League this season and last. Klopp’s men needed a dramatic matchday 6 win over Napoli just to qualify for this year’s knockout round.
Bayern Munich vs. Liverpool: Who’s fit?
Klopp rested midfielder James Milner on Sunday due to injury. He will hope the influential player will be available for Wednesday night.
The manager gave a rare start to Adam Lallana, who received man of the match honours following the fixture. His selection for the match shows just how Naby Keita’s stock has fallen.
Keita did come off the bench in the second half along with Jordan Henderson.
However, BT Sport’s commentators did explain Klopp’s pleasure with Lallana in training.
Dejan Lovren was on the Liverpool bench against Burnley but did not feature.
According to reports in Germany, winger Arjen Robben’s injury problems have continued with a torn calf muscle. The club should have Kingsley Coman back from a hamstring injury.
