Bayern Munich settle in at Anfield ahead of Champions League last-16 showdown with Liverpool
- Bayern Munich trained at Anfield on Monday ahead of the game with Liverpool
- The teams will lock horns for the first time since the 2001 UEFA Super Cup
- Manager Niko Kovac says defender Jerome Boateng could be available
- Bayern have never scored at Anfield and have won only once against the Reds
Bayern Munich trained on the Anfield pitch on Monday ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg clash with Liverpool.
Global football stars Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer were put through their paces at Liverpool’s home ground as the Bundesliga club settled into their surroundings before Tuesday night’s game
Head coach Niko Kovac and midfielder Thiago Alcantara also spoke at a press conference in the lead up to Bayern’s first competitive encounter with Liverpool since a 3-2 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup in 2001.
Bayern Munich trained at Anfield ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool
German international Thomas Muller stretches on the eve of the last-16 first leg tie
Bayern Munich players warm-up on the Anfield centre circle on Monday evening
Striker Kingsley Coman, who has made 15 appearances this season, took part in the session
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski volleys the ball at Anfield
Bayern defender Jerome Boateng could play on Tuesday despite not making their initial squad.
The German had been ruled out with ‘stomach flu’ but Bayern boss Niko Kovac said ‘he could yet be an option’ if medical staff rule ‘he’s not an infection risk’.
The Croatian coach also said he is only ‘optimistic’ forward Kingsley Coman will be available, despite the Frenchman being declared fit on Saturday.
Spaniard Javi Martinez offers a word of advice to fellow defender Rafinha
Goalkeepers Manuel Neuer (left) and Sven Ulreich collect low shots in training
Niko Kovac talks to his team as Bayern aim to score their very first goal at Anfield
Bayern Munich have won only one of their seven matches against Liverpool in European competition (D4 L2), which came in the Cup Winners Cup second round back in November 1971 with two goals from Gerd Müller and one from Uli Hoeness in Munich.
The clubs’ only previous encounter in the European Cup came in the 1980-81 semi-finals. Liverpool progressed on away goals (1-1 on aggregate) and would go on to beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the final.
Bayern haven’t scored a single goal in their three games against Liverpool at Anfield, a statistic which Kovac hopes his team will change.
Liverpool head to the Allianz Arena for the deciding second leg on March 13.
Bayern coach Kovac was in high spirits as he spoke to the media on Monday
Thiago Alcantara was also fielded questions as Bayern aim to win at Anfield for the first time