After a goalless draw at Anfield in the first leg three weeks ago, everything is to play for at Allianz Arena when Bayern Munich host Liverpool in their UEFA Champions League last 16 meeting.
The match is seen as a season-defining tie for both the outfits. Liverpool are second in Premier League, one point behind leaders Manchester City while Bayern have just taken the top position from Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.
Jurgen Klopp knows what awaits his Reds in the highly-charged arena where Bayern tend to raise their game and away teams face a barricade of whistles whenever they touch the ball.
The 51-year-old has a modest record of nine wins, five draws and 16 defeats in 30 games against the Bavarians -- as coach of either Liverpool or former clubs Mainz and Dortmund -- dating back to 2004.
However, in his seven seasons with Dortmund, between 2008 and 2015, Klopp managed an impressive four wins, plus a draw and four defeats, from nine games in Munich.
He tasted victory on his last visit to the Allianz Arena in April 2015 when Dortmund beat Bayern on penalties in the semi-final of the German Cup.
Bayern have hit form, winning their last three games with a goal ratio of 12-1 since the first-leg draw.
All You Need To Know About The Match:
Match: UEFA Champions League, the second leg of round 16 clash between
Date: March 14 (Thursday)
Time: 1:30 AM IST
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
TV Guide: Sony Pictures Network
Live Streaming: Sony Liv, JioTV
Form guide (latest last): Since the first-leg which ended in a goalless draw, Bayern have won three in three (1-0 vs Hertha Berlin, 5-1 at Monchengladbach and 6-0 vs Wolfsburg). In the same period, Liverpool have managed two wins and two draws (0-0 at Manchester United, 5-0 vs Watford, 0-0 at Everton and 4-2 vs Burnley)
Head-to-head: In the previous meetings, both the sides have won one each.
Key facts
- Both are five-time European champions;
- Bayern are undefeated in Champions League this season (W4, D3);
- Bayern goalie Manuel Neuer will make his 100th CL appearance;
- Liverpool have lost all three of their Champions League away matches this season, with just one goal scored and five conceded;
- But they are undefeated in their last ten competitive matches (W5, D5);
- Klopp's record against Bayern is nine wins, five draws and 16 defeats.
Likely XIs
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Rafinha, Sule, Hummels, Alaba; Alcantara, Martinez; Gnarby, Rodriguez, Ribery; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Kimmich (discipline), Muller (discipline), Robben (calf), Tolisso (calf)
Liverpool (4-3-3):Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Unavailable: Gomez (broken leg), Oxlade-Chamberlain (thigh), Keita (knee)
Manager speak
"I've qualified for the World Cup and led Eintracht Frankfurt in the relegation play-off - that was the worst - but tomorrow's game is a highlight," Niko Kovac, Bayern Munich
"It's a much more positive moment for Bayern. They are top of the table and winning games comfortably again. But if we are at our best, we can be exceptional," Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
