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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Bayern Munich v Liverpool, Champions League round of 16

Liverpool faced Bayern Munich with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

There’s been an abundance of drama in the Champions League round of 16 already and this game is likely to be similarly thrilling.

Following a cagey first leg at Anfield that finished 0-0, the tie is finely balanced ahead of tonight’s encounter in Germany.

Bayern are expected to be far more adventurous than they were in that initial encounter, while Liverpool will be hoping to expose the spaces in behind in a way they were unable to do largely due their opponents’ cautious tactics in the first leg.

Both teams are in decent form with Bayern top of the Bundesliga and Jurgen Klopp’s men trailing Premier League leaders City by a point, with this match likely to have a big impact on both teams season.

Kick off is at 8pm, with 90 minutes of action (or potentially more) set to decide which of these sides secures a coveted spot in the competition’s quarter finals.

FC Bayern Munich - FC Liverpool Berni, the team mascot of FC Bayern Munich, stands in front of the exit of the players tunnel ahead of the game. DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

So who do you think will go through?


Poll Results:

Liverpool (524)
Bayern Munich (284)

We’re underway…

Nothing too much to speak of in the opening three minutes.

Bayern, as expected, are playing in a more open fashion than they did at Anfield, and are passing the ball about in a confident fashion as I type.

Concern for Liverpool early on as Jordan Henderson goes down holding his foot.

It looked like an innocuous enough challenge from the Bayern player.

The visitors have Fabinho on the bench if needed.

It looks like Henderson is going to be okay to continue.

Fabinho can relax for now.

First effort for Bayern.

Firmino gives it away cheaply, before Thiago curls an attempt high and wide from the edge of the box.

It’s been a cagey enough opening, though unlike the first leg, Bayern are the team showing most of the attacking intent.

Dangerous moment for Liverpool.

A lofted ball is played into the box and Lewandowski beats the offside trap before going down under the challenge of Van Dijk, but the ref waves play on.

It would have been soft, but it’s the type of call some officials would have given.

Disappointment for Jordan Henderson, who cannot continue on account of that early knock he picked up.

He is replaced by the man some felt deserved to start this game — Fabinho.

It’s “a roll of the ankle” that caused Henderson to go off, according to BT Sport.

With 20 minutes played, it still feels as if both teams are waiting for the other to make a mistake.

Despite the fact there is so much normal time left, it already has the feel of an extra-time game.

That said, Bayern have scored 11 goals in their last two matches, so it won’t be easy by any means for Liverpool to keep a clean sheet tonight.

Firmino gets a sight at goal.

It goes just wide, but it clearly had Neuer worried, as the goalkeeper dived swiftly to his left in reaction to the attempt.

BAYERN 0-1 LIVERPOOL (MANE 25)

Mane has scored his 18th goal of the season to put Liverpool ahead.

It’s a brilliant goal. The attacker takes a touch from Van Dijk’s ball over the top, before completely outfoxing Neuer with his turn, with the goalkeeper way off his line.

The Senegal international then provides the icing on the cake with a lovely clipped finish despite several Bayern defenders being in the vicinity.

It’s been an impressive, controlled display from Liverpool so far.

That goal has given them an obvious boost, while Bayern have barely threatened at all with just over 10 minutes until half-time.

As I type, down the left-hand side where Liverpool have looked especially dangerous, Mane plays through the onrushing Robertson, whose shot from a difficult angle is straight at Neuer.

James finds himself in a promising position, but badly overhits his cross.

Bayern have not looked sharp at all in the final third thus far.

BAYERN 1-1 LIVERPOOL (MATIP OWN GOAL)

Out of nothing, Bayern are right back into this game.

Gnabry latches on to a ball over the top, losing Robinson in the process. He then drills it across the box and Matip sticks a foot out and unwittingly directs the ball into the net.

Liverpool still lead on away goals, but that’s a big psychological boost for Bayern with half-time approaching, with the hosts having previously struggled to open Liverpool up.

Fabinho has just been booked for a late challenge on Thiago.

Alaba’s subsequent free kick is fairly comfortably saved by Alisson.

Bayern have a pep in their step all of a sudden.

HALF-TIME: BAYERN 1-1 LIVERPOOL

So half-time and this tie remains very much in the balance.

Liverpool still hold the away-goals advantage, though they will go in at the break with a degree of regret having failed to see out the opening 45 minutes without conceding.

There hasn’t been too much between the teams. Bayern have attempted to control the play and had the greater possession (63% according to the BBC) without offering enough attacking threat.

Liverpool have looked relatively composed and solid for the most part, and were greatly aided by that stunning Mane goal, but cannot afford to feel in anyway complacent with Bayern currently a goal away from progression.

Bayern Munich v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Allianz Arena Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game. Adam Davy Adam Davy

The second half has begun…

It’s been a fairly low key start to the second period.

A minor injury to Thiago interrupted proceedings.

As I type, however, Liverpool break through Salah, but the Egypt international’s shot from the edge of the area is straight at Neuer, who parries it away to safety.

It’s been a decent start to the second half by Liverpool.

They look like a side who are trying to get a second goal.

The longer it stays 1-1, however, the more tempting it will be for Klopp’s men to sit back and soak up the pressure.

As the game approaches the hour mark, Liverpool are looking relatively comfortable, with Bayern struggling to gain a foothold in this second half.

One mistake, however, could change anything, and marginal errors are often the difference at this level.

Big chance for Bayern!

Gnabry is played through down the right by Ribery, and the cross narrowly eludes the lurking Lewandowski.

That’s Ribery’s last act of the match, as he’s replaced by Coman.

Matip is booked for a late challenge on Lewandowski.

Liverpool have just shown a few signs of nerves in recent minutes.

From the ensuing free kick, Javi Martínez is adjudged offside as the ball is played in, and he heads it well over anyway.

LIVERPOOL 2-1 BAYERN (VAN DIJK 69)

Liverpool are back in the driving seat and it’s their star centre-back who’s made the difference.

Milner delivers the corner in and Van Dijk leaps above the Bayern defenders and heads home powerfully.

Game over?

In response to that goal, Bayern make an attacking change.

Javi Martínez is replaced by 24-year-old Germany international Leon Goretzka.

Big chance for Liverpool!

They counter through a mazy Salah run, but Süle stops the attack with a well-timed challenge.

The Egyptian tried to go it alone there, when he surely would have been better off squaring to Mane, who was in a position to tap home.

Bayern make another change.

James Rodriguez, who has had a poor game and has been very ineffective in attack, is replaced by ex-Swansea loan player Renato Sanches.

There is increasingly space for Liverpool to exploit on the counter as Bayern push forward in search of an equaliser.

Firmino is the latest to get a half-chance, but his shot from about 30 yards out is straight at Alisson.

Liverpool make a change.

Origi replaces Firmino. The Brazilian has worked hard, but hasn’t been at his best tonight by his high standards.

Meanwhile, Sanches has just been booked for a poor challenge on Wijnaldum.

BAYERN 1-3 LIVERPOOL (MANE 84)

That’s that and the home fans know it, as they leave the Allianz Arena in their droves.

It’s a perfect cross from Salah and Mane escapes the attentions of Hummels and heads home to seal Liverpool’s place in the last eight.

It’s undoubtedly deserved — Bayern simply haven’t done enough to get anything from this game.

Liverpool make a final change to run down the clock.

Lallana is on in place of Milner.

Here’s a look at the Van Dijk goal that put Liverpool in command…

There will be three minutes of stoppage time…

A slight blip for Liverpool as the game approaches its conclusion

Robinson is booked for a badly timed challenge on Goretzka and will consequently miss the first leg of their next European match.

FULL-TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 1-3 LIVERPOOL

So that’s that.

Liverpool reach the quarter-finals.

It’s the first time for 10 years that four English teams have reached the last eight of the Champions League.

It was certainly deserved on the night, with Liverpool rarely looking under undue pressure.

Bayern enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to carve out openings.

Liverpool, by contrast, were ruthless in front of goal when opportunities arose, while one or two nervy moments aside, they produced an excellent defensive performance.

Meanwhile, serious questions will be asked of this Bayern team. Apart from the occasional bright moment, they were toothless in attack, and looked fairly desperate and devoid of ideas by the end.

The one disappointing moment for the Reds was the needless booking for Robinson on the brink of full-time, with the defender now set to miss their next European match.

Here’s the Mane goal that sealed Liverpool’s place in the quarter-finals.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our match report here and we’ll have more reaction on the site shortly.

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