Liverpool Make It The Fantastic Four

Stunning second-half display sees Jurgen Klopp’s men added to the list of three other English teams in the Champions League quarterfinals. 

Liverpool went to the Allianz Arena after a 0-0 first-leg draw at Anfield. They managed to beat the five-time Champions League winners 3-1 after two goals from Mane and one from Van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp had out a fairly strong team but was missing Keita, Gomez, and Oxlade-Chamberlain who would have all at least been in the squad. Jordan Henderson was added to the injury list when he picked up a knock early on in the game and was substituted for Fabinho.

This is the first time that four English teams have progressed through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League since the 2008/09 season.

The game

It started as quite a cagey affair with both teams not really able to find much rhythm and a lot of miss placed passes. Thiago had the first effort of the game in the seventh minute. The ball fell to him on the edge of the box but his effort went flying over.

Bayern then had another chance in the 10th minute. The ball fell to Lewandowski six yards out but Van Dijk managed to clear. There were appeals for a penalty but they were waved away. It was one of those tackles where you have seen them given before. A minute later and the Liverpool Captain had to be taken off as he had rolled his ankle. This meant the introduction of Fabinho who was a surprise omission from the starting line up.

Nothing really happened then until the 25th minute. A fantastic ball from Van Dijk deep inside his own half fell to the feet of Mane. Neuer came rushing out and as he did Mane left him for stranded with a fantastic piece of skill. The Liverpool winger, who has 10 in 10 now, chip the ball into the empty net.

The lead only last ten minutes though. Gnabry found himself on the edge of the six-yard box after some questionable defending from Robertson. He hit the ball across the face of goal only for Matip to turn it into his own net. The first half played out from this point on and finished 1-1.

The second half started and this was Liverpool’s best performance for a long time. For this first 25 minutes, both sides had a chance where they could have taken the lead through Salah and Lewandowski. But Liverpool knew they didn’t need to score and were calm and patient with their use of the ball.

They got the insurance goal however in the 69th minute. A perfectly weighted corner from Milner fell to the head of Liverpool £75 million centre half. Van Dijk headed the ball into the bottom left corner for his third goal in four games and Liverpool were basically through.

Bayern had to score two goals now but didn’t look like scoring one. The game was finished on the 84th minute when Mane got his second of the match. A fantastic outside of the boot cross from Salah left Mane with a free header from 6 yards out. Again the ball was headed into the bottom left corner and Neuer was left rooted to the spot.

This was a very impressive second-half performance from Liverpool. It showed that they don’t just rely on Salah and that Mane is just as important this season for them.

English teams in Europe

Now Liverpool are the fourth side English side in Europe it should mean that one will make the final. Liverpool to go all the way and win it is 5/1 on bet 365, with Man City being the favorites at 9/4. Man United are at 12/1 after their impressive comeback against PSG. Spurs make up the four teams at 16/1. The nationality of the winner being English is 4/6 on Bet365 which makes interesting betting as any of the four teams can win this bet. If you fancy Liverpool to repeat last year and at least make the final, Bet365 have that priced at 2/1