Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side played out a goalless draw at a wet Anfield in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie with Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. But who impressed the most? Liverpool Alisson: An instinctive early save spared Joel Matip some embarrassment, but he was also guilty on at least one occasion of over-elaboration when playing out from the back. 6 Trent Alexander-Arnold: Still appears to be feeling his way back in after the knee injury that kept him out for almost a month. 6 Joel Matip: Victorious in only one of his previous 17 appearances against Bayern, and worked hard to atone for the early error that almost cost him an own goal. 5 Fabinho: Asked to play at centre-back in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren, and was impressive, making excellent second-half challenges to thwart Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman. 7 Andy Robertson: Eager to get forward, and almost nicked a goal after half-time, although he was frequently on the defensive against the lively Serge Gnabry. 6<doc-sep>Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 first leg, but featured excellent performances from Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip. The Reds were unable to score at Anfield for the third consecutive time against Bayern in the club’s playing histories. It was not a game were the teams did not take their chances however, as both sides were inches away from scoring on multiple occasions. Sadio Mane had the most of the chances as he put a couple balls just wide of Manuel Neuer and the post. Mohamed Salah also had a chance off a volley from a Jordan Henderson cross. The makeshift defense of Fabinho and Joel Matip held strong, and will live to fight another day. Luckily, we will have Virgil van Dijk in the second leg, while Bayern will be without Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Mueller due to suspension. Want your voice heard? Join the Rush The Kop team! Write for us! Overall, it is not a terrible result for Liverpool, giving that shape of our defense, and the strength of the competition. We could easily go to Munich and win on away goals, or just win the game outright with a little more stability in the back. Not ideal, but it is what we have to deal with. Onto the player ratings.<doc-sep>L iverpool’s season has been so consumed by their ongoing Premier League title charge that this game almost felt like an afterthought. But a crackling Anfield atmosphere prior to kick-off was a timely reminder of this club’s love affair with a European Cup, and the reason Jurgen Klopp is right to take this competition just as seriously this term. In the end, the Reds didn’t quite produce the performance to match their pre-match favourites status, but still had plenty to be pleased with at full-time. However, the exact same could be said of a Bayern Munich team that had already been written off by large sections of the press back home. Both sides were left to rue near misses and take pleasure from a hard-earned clean sheet, and both will have plenty to consider ahead of a rematch in March that has all the makings of a classic. Van Dijk importance underlined Player ratings How did Liverpool fare vs Bayern? Alisson: 5 Alexander-Arnold: 4 Matip: 5 Fabinho: 6 Robertson: 6 Henderson: 7 Wijnaldum: 7 Keita: 7 Salah: 6 Mane: 6 Firmino: 7 Subs Origi: 5 Milner: 6 If there was anyone who still doubted that Virgil van Dijk is the key figure in Liverpool’s backline, then proceedings at Anfield this evening will surely have set them straight. Yes, the hosts had a midfielder filling in at centre-half, but that is no excuse for the disorganisation that characterised their start to the match. Thankfully for Klopp, he will be able to restore his Dutch talisman for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford, and the second leg of this tie. But the Reds need to be better prepared for his absence going forward given that a long-term injury would likely end any hopes of winning a trophy as things stand. Warm-weather camp theory given credence In Pictures | Liverpool vs Bayern Munich | 19/02/2019 1 /36 In Pictures | Liverpool vs Bayern Munich | 19/02/2019 REUTERS REUTERS AFP/Getty Images Action Images via Reuters AP AFP/Getty Images Action Images via Reuters REUTERS EPA AFP/Getty Images Action Images via Reuters Action Images via Reuters REUTERS Action Images via Reuters AP EPA REUTERS Action Images via Reuters REUTERS Action Images via Reuters Liverpool FC via Getty Images Getty Images EPA REUTERS Getty Images AP Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool FC via Getty Images Action Images via Reuters Action Images via Reuters Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images A section of Liverpool supporters reacted with dismay when it was confirmed that the Reds were set for another warm-weather camp prior to this tie. With a 10-day break between fixtures, Klopp and co flew out to train in new surroundings, just as they had done in similar circumstances prior to facing Leicester and West Ham. Of course, the points dropped in those fixtures were blamed by a number of fans on the team’s brief jaunt to Dubai - and their theory didn’t look too far out here. Fresh from a four-day stay in Spain, Liverpool made a hesitant start to proceedings here that allowed Bayern Munich to get a foothold, and didn’t look their fluent selves for much of the 90 minutes. Maybe there is some sense in the hypothesis that a change in training habits breaks up rhythm? Underrated Henderson shines again Action Images via Reuters He may never win over all of his critics but Jordan Henderson always be loved by Liverpool fans thanks to performances like this. Coming up against the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez and James Rodriguez, the Englishman made a fair pitch to be considered the evening’s best-performing midfielder. His energy and criminally underrated passing range were crucial to the Reds wresting control of the centre of the park back following a ropey first 20 minutes. It may not have been a captain’s performance of the Steven Gerrard vintage, but it was proof enough that the current skipper is deserving of the armband - and perhaps a little more appreciation. Bayern’s safety-first approach pays off Action Images via Reuters Having watched Bayern join Manchester City as one of just two teams to have kept a clean sheet at Anfield, Niko Kovac can certainly be satisfied with his night’s work. The Germans’ plan to bring the Reds’ press onto them and play from there was similar to Pep Guardiola’s approach here, and it worked to a tee in the first 20 minutes. Liverpool began to assert themselves after that, but not enough to grab the first goal of the tie and an advantage going into the second leg. For all the criticism the visitors’ coach has received this season, he deserves credit for getting things right in this game. Clean sheet keeps tie in the balance EPA It didn’t look likely in the first few minutes at Anfield, but Liverpool will be delighted to have a clean sheet of their own to show for a performance that didn’t quite reach their normal standards. Not conceding an away goal here was just as crucial as scoring, and the hosts can take solace from the fact that one of those objectives was achieved in an evenly poised match. The onus is on Bayern to open up in the second leg - and you’d back them to score at home - but that could also provide chances for the Reds’ pacey attack.<doc-sep>
Liverpool were frustrated in their attempts to defeat Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday night. The Reds will travel to the Allianz Arena next month having so far failed to break down a stubborn Bayern defence - but also crucially having denied their German opponents an away goal at Anfield. Bayern may have been the happier team after the 0-0 draw, knowing that any win in Germany takes them through to the next round. But Jurgen Klopp said it was "not a dream result but a good one" from a Liverpool perspective, with all to play for on March 13. Here is how the Reds players rated last night... Alisson Becker 5 In the right place to make a point-blank save from his own player Matip, but was unconvincing first half with the ball at his feet. Quiet after the break. Trent Alexander-Arnold 6 Few attacking opportunities before the interval, save one good cross created a chance for Salah. More involved second half but kept honest by the lively Coman. Read how the match unfolded at Anfield HERE Fabinho 7 Up against Lewandowski, the makeshift centre-back didn't win everything, particularly in the air, but put in a fine shift and made one excellent tackle inside the area. Joel Matip 7 Almost scored at both ends, and was dodgy when dealing with one Alisson pass. Otherwise can be content with his efforts. Needs to work on his shooting, however. Andy Robertson 6 Found it difficult defensively at times up against Gnabry, and his deliveries in the attacking third were not of their usual standard. Improved second half. Jordan Henderson 8 (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images) Led by example with a fine display. Played one excellent ball through to Salah first half and was a driving force, while some of his tackling got the crowd going. Booked. Gini Wijnaldum 6 Started brightly but his influence waned in a congested midfield. Didn't stop putting in the hard yards, but a bit more imagination was required. Naby Keita 7 Warmed to his task, a few good first-half touches created openings and got about the pitch well. However, his decision-making is still not quite there yet. Subbed. Mohamed Salah 6 Saw a stretching volley held by Neuer but should have done better with a far-post header first half. Didn't stop going forward and was always a danger but was often hounded out. Roberto Firmino 7 Seemed to have at least three Bayern players around him at all times, but came into it before the break with some clever passes. Work-rate impressive given his pre-match illness. Substituted. Sadio Mane 7 Missed a great chance on the turn and sent an overhead kick over. Needed to be in the game more in the second half, especially with Kimmich on a booking. Forced a save from Neuer with a header. Substitutes James Milner (for Keita 76) 6 Made a few tackles. Divock Origi (for Firmino 76) 5 Rolled the ball out of play once.