3 Reasons why Bayern Munich drew 0-0 against Liverpool | UEFA Champions League 2018-19
In what was the first leg of the most keenly awaited Round of 16 fixture of the UEFA Champions League this term, Bayern Munich travelled to Anfield to take on Liverpool and effected a stalemate. Don't be fooled by the 0-0 scoreline though. There were plenty of chances on offer for both teams.
Given Bayern's not so staggering form this season, and the Merseysiders' juggernaut of a campaign thus far, Jurgen Klopp and Co. were the clear favourites heading into the tie. Unsurprisingly so, Liverpool tried to make the most out of their home advantage as they had their foot on the gas right from the get-go.
Die Roten though, had other ideas. They soaked up the pressure, amped up their game in the second half, and delivered a clean sheet, something that not many teams have been able to garner in front of the Kop. Add to this the fact that Liverpool have lost all their away games in the Champions League this season, and it's not really tough to see why the visitors would be happy with this result.
Having said that, let us have a look at the three reasons why Bayern drew 0-0 against Liverpool at Anfield:
#1 Liverpool left their shooting boots at home
As mentioned earlier, there was plenty of offensive action in the game, especially from the hosts. Liverpool easily dominated the first half of the game where they often caught the likes of Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels in sixes and sevens.
All the elements of a traditional Liverpool attack, as we have seen so often under Jurgen Klopp, were present and accounted for. There was the gegenpress, there were the overlapping runs by the full-backs, there were midfielders committing themselves higher up the pitch. A crucial aspect was amiss though - composure in front of goal.
Liverpool attempted a total of 15 shots against the Allianz Arena outfit but managed to keep only two of them on target. You've got to do better than that when trying to make Manuel Neuer's net bulge.
There was the missed header by Mohamed Salah off Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross around the near post. The Egyptian also failed to get enough on the ball earlier on in the game when he was found by Jordan Henderson via a telling long ball.
There was the scuppered volley by Joel Matip in the second half. But no missed chance will haunt the Reds as much as Sadio Mane's skewed attempt from barely 10 yards out after a Naby Keita attempt ricocheted off Sule and fell kindly for the Senegalese.