Champions League: Liverpool travel to Germany without Naby Keita

Liverpool travels to Germany without Naby Keita. The Reds’ central midfielder did not train at Melwood, it‘s a setback for the Guinean international. Preparations continue for an important night of European football.

Liverpool have attributed the absence of Naby Keita to a minor injury. Jürgen Klopp has been boosted by the availability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was substituted in Liverpool’s 4-2 win at the weekend. Klopp has also included Dejan Lovren in the 21 man Champions League squad.

It’s another big night in the Champions League for Liverpool, they take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The fixture is all square at 0-0. The Reds have the advantage of the away goal, however, their current away form isn’t good.

European football has been fruitful for Liverpool and expectations are high amongst the Anfield faithful. The Premier League title is the one that the Red-half of Merseyside craves. Crashing out of the Champions League in favour of domestic silverware is out of the question. The Reds away form has dipped, five draws have allowed Manchester City to claw their way back up to occupy the top league spot.

The Reds struggled in the Group stages of Champions League, losing all three away games to Napoli, PSG and Serbian club Crvena Zvezda. Liverpool will have to play at their best on Wednesday night against the Bundesliga leaders. Bayern Munich are in a rich vein of form, having won six of their last seven games. Niko Kovač’s side thumped Werder Bremen 6-0 at the weekend, and Klopp knows that his side are going to be up against it.

"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  But if we can push ourselves in a special mood and play a proper football game, then we have a proper chance and that’s all I need via (Liverpoolfc.com)."

Bayern are unbeaten in this season’s competition. Robert Lewandowski has been in great form for Die Roten, he is the competition’s leading scorer with eight goals. Liverpool’s star man Mo Salah has had a lean time in front of goal. Wednesday’s match will be perfect timing for Salah to get back to his scoring habits.

Bayern are the bookmakers’ favourites to advance to the quarterfinals. Paddypower has priced Liverpool at 5/2.
*Odds correct at the time of writing, via oddschecker.com