Outstanding Liverpool roared into the Champions League quarter-finals with a mature 3-1 away victory at German heavyweights Bayern Munich.
The first goal of a tense tie came before half time at Allianz Arena as Senegal forward Sadio Mane delightfully punished Germany No1 Manuel Neuer’s impetuous charge and slotted into an open goal. The score was levelled on the night, however, soon after when Cameroon defender Joel Matip sliced into his own net.
Last season’s beaten finalists were then imperious after the break and gained double reward. Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk produced a towering header on 69 minutes and Mane nodded in Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s enticing cross soon after to emphatically kill the two-legged contest.
SADIO IS THE MAIN MANE
Sadio Mane
Maybe it’s because of Mohamed Salah’s presence in this Liverpool side, or perhaps it’s just because of a tendency to be wildly inaccurate, but Mane this season deserves to be mentioned among the world’s most elite forwards.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo inhabit categories of their own and are thus incomparable, yet below those two otherworldly talents, Mane sits in a tier alongside players like Eden Hazard, Paulo Dybala, Gareth Bale and of course Salah.
He’s scored 19 times in all competitions this term and crucially, 11 have been procured in 2019 as Mane has stepped up while Salah’s contribution, at least in terms of goals, has waned.
The Bayern game served as a microcosm of what he has offered all season. From a Liverpool perspective, he broke the tension of what was a tight tie by being so enjoyable to watch.
He twisted and turned defenders, sprinted past others and dribbled around the pitch, emitting the same joy while doing so as he does to those watching on.
And it wasn’t just his activity on the ball, but the way he pressed and pushed Bayern back with such boundless energy.
Mane’s versatility across the front line shouldn’t be ignored either because he’s thrived when operating through the middle – a position from which he headed home his second on Wednesday – and more naturally out wide.
It was there he displayed the traits which elevate him into the elite class when opening the scoring.
Van Dijk sprayed a signature lobbed pass into the left channel, Mane capitalised on a poor mix up between Neuer and Rafinha to produce a goal of pure artistry in three resplendent touches.
The first was remarkable as he must only have had mere seconds to see the ball drop over his shoulder before killing it dead. He then Cruyff-Turned Neuer and applied a deliciously lofted finish.
He’s now scored seven away goals for Liverpool in the Champions League, more than any other player in the club’s history.
They’ve arrived against Sevilla, Porto, Manchester City, Roma, Real Madrid and now Bayern.
A big game player who deserves mention alongside the biggest names in world football.
A HUGE NIGHT FOR KLOPP
Jurgen Klopp
The reality of Jurgen Klopp’s return to Munich is a little further than the narrative being painted beforehand.
The rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and the Bavarian giants was more housed within the corridors of power as opposed to anything on the touchline.
However, the significance of this result for the German is monumental. Indeed, Liverpool have struggled away from home in Europe this season, losing all three group stage games on their travels.
It points to inexperience because it’s easy to forget that before Klopp, the Reds only qualified for the Champions League once in six years and on that occasion failed to even make it out of the group stage.
Yet he was able to guide his side through one of the most difficult tasks and did so with an XI he thought right for the tie, unbowed by the waves of apprehension which rise whenever the line-up is announced.
This was one of Klopp’s most impressive performances because Liverpool completely neutralised what has been a rampant Bayern of late.
He’s developed the club into a force domestically and abroad. Considering recent history, that’s a remarkable feat.
BAYERN IN TRANSITION
Niko Kovac
Going to Anfield and securing a 0-0 draw was viewed as a massive turning point for Niko Kovac because it was the first time Bayern collectively executed a clear plan.
They have appeared fractured for much of the campaign, but there were signs of a collective unit all pushing in the same direction.
That sentiment was further enhanced by three-straight Bundesliga wins with an aggregate score of 13-1.
Yet it appears the cracks in this squad were merely temporarily papered over and the structure is simply not sound. They are obviously in transition with half the team too old, and the other not quite refined enough for the top level.
This was a tie pitting two counter-attacking units and Liverpool had the better personnel to impose their will.
Things will change for Bayern in the summer. France left-back Benajmin Pavard has already signed, countryman Lucas Hernandez is set to follow plus Germany’s golden boys Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are strongly linked.
This result only expedites the need for change.
