Liverpool vs Bayern: What Jurgen Klopp's men can expect from German champions
Here, we take a closer look at the Bundesliga side ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie
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Your support makes all the difference.Bayern Munich take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash at Anfield on Tuesday.
Here, we takes a closer look at the reigning German champions.
Domestic form
Following a mixed start to their Bundesliga campaign, which saw two defeats in the opening seven matches and questions asked of new boss Niko Kovac, Bayern have hit a good run of form of late to put them right back in the title race. Nine points adrift of Borussia Dortmund this time last month, the defending champions in Germany are now only two points behind, albeit having played a game more than the league leaders.
Bayern are not at their imperious best, however. They were beaten by Bayer Leverkusen this month and taken to extra time by Hertha Berlin in the DFB-Pokal before twice having to recover from a goal down to see off Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Friday night.
Champions League form
Bayern last won the Champions League in 2013 and are one of the most consistent teams in the competition. The Bavarian giants negotiated the group stage unbeaten as they attempt to reach the semi-finals for an eighth time in 10 seasons.
Bayern are unbeaten in eight Champions League away games since September 2017 and have won 11 of their 14 ties at this stage of the competition, including the last seven. Their record against English clubs is also pretty strong, with 10 victories from 15 two-legged ties.
Manager
Bayern announced in April last year that Kovac would succeed Jupp Heynckes as manager. The following month, Kovac left Eintracht Frankfurt on a high by winning the DFB-Pokal, defeating his future employers Bayern in the final. It was the second year in a row the Croatian had guided Frankfurt to the cup final, having lost to Dortmund the previous season.
Kovac, a midfielder for Bayern between 2001 and 2003, began his coaching career at Red Bull Salzburg. He also managed Croatia Under-21s before getting the senior job and taking his country to the 2014 World Cup.
Team news
Kingsley Coman faces a race against time to be fit after suffering an ankle injury against Augsburg on Friday. Bayern are already without defender Jerome Boateng due to a stomach bug and suspended attacker Thomas Muller, following his red card in the group stage match against Ajax.
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer returned from injury in the win at Augsburg while Franck Ribery will join his team-mates on Merseyside after his wife gave birth early on Monday, although the winger has been nursing an injury and it remains to be seen if he will be involved.
Record against Klopp
During his time in charge of Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp – now the Liverpool manager – came up against Bayern 29 times and won on just eight occasions, losing 16 matches. It took him 12 attempts to record his first victory over the Bavarians, although Klopp did win five games in a row between 2010 and 2012.
PA
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