Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson made two crucial saves to make up for his errant passing while Serge Gnabry threatened
- Alisson made two crucial saves to made amends for some errant passing
- Gini Wijnaldum is an intelligent player who is crucial to making his team tick
- Robert Lewandowski did not answer questions about his form this season
Liverpool were held by Bayern Munich at Anfield in their Champions League last-16 first leg.
Sadio Mane had the Reds’ best chance when he swivelled and shot wide with the goal gaping.
Sportsmail’s Dominic King rated the players on the Champions League night in Liverpool.
Liverpool were held by Bayern Munich at Anfield in their Champions League last-16 first leg
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker – Two crucial saves in the first half made amends for some unusually errant passing that could have been punished – 6
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Always a threat going forward but had his pocket picked once by Gnabry and it almost proved calamitous – 6.5
Joel Matip – Looked to be living on his nerves at times and came within a whisker of turning a cross past Alisson – 6
Fabinho – Much was made of his switch back but he slotted into central defence without too much fuss with some important interventions – 7
Alisson’s two crucial saves in the first half made amends for some unusually errant passing
Andrew Robertson – Wayward header at one point put Fabinho under pressure and had a difficult time containing Gnabry – 7
Gini Wijnaldum – An intelligent player who is crucial to making his team tick; good battle with Martinez to gain the upper hand – 7
Jordan Henderson – The pick of Liverpool’s midfield, some terrific passes and the composure to offer constant protection to the back four – 7.5
Naby Keita – Growing into his role as a Liverpool player, looks more confident. Another step up and always looked to get forward – 7
Mohamed Salah – Just failed to get the right contact on a pass from Henderson; always involved and had Bayern permanently on edge – 6.5
Roberto Firmino – Never a real concern that he would miss the game but looked to be missing some sharpness in key moments – 6
Never a real concern that Roberto Firmino would miss the game but he lacked sharpness
Sadio Mane – Pick of the front three, wanted to run at Kimmich and Sule whenever he got the opportunity – 7
MANAGER
Jurgen Klopp – Had a moment when he implored the fans behind his dugout to calm down; his team played with discipline and restraint – 7
BAYERN MUNICH (4-3-3)
Manuel Neuer – It’s a wonder he ever concedes given his sheer size; always in the right place to control Bayern’s defence – 7
Joshua Kimmich – Booking for a rash tackle on Mane means he will miss the second leg and that could be huge loss for his team – 6
Niklas Sule – A huge presence in more ways than one, flung himself in front of Keita to charge down the Guinea midfielder’s shot – 7
Mats Hummels – Pace has never been his biggest forte but he is wily and never allowed himself to be isolated or exposed – 7
Booking for a rash tackle on Mane means Joshua Kimmich will miss the second leg in Germany
David Alaba – Regarded to be the world’s best left-back at one point and he oozed class throughout to keep Salah under a tight rein – 7
Javi Martinez – Brought into the team to offer protection to the back four and this Spanish World Cup winner did his job to the letter – 7
Thiago Alcantara – Makes up for what he lacks in defending with what he does on the ball; always managed to pass his way out of tight situations – 7
James Rodriguez – An enigmatic player; the ability is there but he simply does not influence this magnitude of game as regularly as he should – 6
Serge Gnabry – Real menace about his play in the first half when he whipped in a succession of crosses; Bayern’s main threat – 8
Real menace about his play in the first half when he whipped in a succession of crosses
Robert Lewandowski – Questions have been asked about his form this season and he didn’t provide any real answers that he is back in the groove – 6
Kingsley Coman – Didn’t manage to have the same kind of impact as Gnabry but his pace and trickery kept Alexander-Arnold alert – 7
MANAGER
Niko Kovac – Game with a clear plan and this team of perennial winners never faltered from what he wanted them to do – 7
REFEREE
Paolo Valeri – They say you don’t notice the best referees and he was happily anonymous, allowing an intriguing game to run at it’s natural pace – 7