Every player rated as Liverpool cope without Van Dijk against Bayern

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Liverpool played some exceptionally exciting football but in the end were unable to score as Bayern held firm at Anfield.

This was the first tie between the storied clubs in the Champions League, with their last meeting in the European Cup semi-final in 1981. Both clubs have five European Cups each and so tonight was a real meeting of European giants.

In the end both teams can be reasonably happy in that Bayern could not muster an-all important away goal in Liverpool, although Bayern will be confident they’ll be able to win at the Allianz Arena.

Here’s how the players rated at Anfield.

Liverpool

Alisson – 5 – Gave the ball away early on in the game while Bayern attempted to assert some dominance, and came late for a ball that Fabinho headed clear. Made an instinctive block from a Matip intervention that looked to be going wide. Another dodgy moment came minutes later however when he tried to chip it to Matip in his own area past Lewandoski. Made some good saves though.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 – An accomplished night for the young England international, almost finding Salah with a well-delivered cross only for the Egyptian to miss the target under pressure at the back post. Played some exceptional passes but was given a tough time of it by Alaba. Like his Scottish counterpart on the overside of the Liverpool defence, he was composed going forward.

Fabinho – 7 – Filled in in an uncustomary role well enough, helping shut the Bavarians out with some well-timed challenges.

Joel Matip – 6 – Almost scored an own goal at the beginning but otherwise deputised well. Almost involved in a mix up with Alisson. Missed a gilt-edged chance before half-time, but managed to clear some dangerous Gnabry crosses.

Andrew Robertson – 6 –  A mixed night defensively, losing out on a few occasions to Gnabry and heading it to him in a dangerous area but the German couldn’t make the most of it. Almost assisted Salah in a bizarre blocked Neuer kick gone awry.

Giorginio Wijnaldum – 8 – The Dutchman continued his purple patch tonight as he helped drive this Reds’ midfield forward.

Jordan Henderson – 9 – As ever, neat and tidy, played a Hollywood pass in the 12th minute which Salah almost stabbed in, and generally put himself about well to help his side, smelling danger constantly. Booked.

Naby Keita – 7 –  Like Wijnaldum, Keita battled well and made some incisive runs, creatively looking capable of breaking the deadlock. Faded in the second half and replaced by Milner on 76 minutes.

Mohamed Salah – 7 –Missed a head at the back-post in the earlier exchanges but linked up well with Firmino and the No.8s. Always looked capable of breaking the deadlock but it wasn’t his night. Some unreal skills and moves on the night worthy of the player.

Roberto Firmino – 8 – Flashes of real poise, playing off Keita whose shot was well-blocked by Sule and missed on the return by Mane. Almost finished what would have been an esquisite goal when he chipped over Neuer from the by-line. Faded slightly in the second-half.

Sadio Mane – 7 – Always a bundle of energy, almost winning the ball of Neuer’s feet in the first 10 minutes. Drove at Kimmich but shot wide early on and made life difficult for his opponent, who got a yellow for his troubles. Missed a good chance on the turn in the box though, and almost made a speculative bicycle kick attempt. Constantly pressing with his fellow attackers. Almost snuck in a tight header as the game’s end neared.

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Substitutions:

James Milner ( on for Keita 76′) – 6 – Pretty much up to speed immediately in helping Liverpool assert some pressure

Divock Origi (on for Firmino  76′) – 5 – Didn’t do an awful lot in his time on the pitch but like Milner, put himself about well.

Bayern Munich 

Manuel Neuer – 6 – A few difficult moments with the ball at his feet in the beginning but he made some decent stops. Kovac’s insistence on playing out from the back, coupled with Liverpool’s intensely-high press, caused a lot of problems from the Bayern defence. Top save from Mane’s head after 85 minutes.

Joshua Kimmich – 8 – Defended admirably against a dangerous opponent in Mane, but received a booking for a cynical foul on Mane that will mean he misses the return leg in Munich. Made some great defensive stops in the second half.

Niklas Sule – 6 – Looked cagey in the beginning, playing a difficult ball back to the reliable Neuer and unnecessarily fouling Mane fora free-kick near the byline. Continued to look dodgy at times but ultimately formed a solid block with Hummels.

Mats Hummels – 8 –  Like his defensive partner, Hummels didn’t look particularly accomplished early on on a high-octane night but played well enough under pressure and finished the game very well.

David Alaba – 7 – Some decent moments defensively and dangerous going forward, showing his undeniable ability.

Thiaga Alcantara – 7 –  Tenacious at times in the middle of the park and almost got his team going on the break, but like his fellow centre-mids it was largely a containment job against a fast-moving, quick-thinking Liverpool side. It was his killer pass that bypassed Robertson in the first-half and got Gnabry crossing into the box.

Javi Martinez – 6 –  Trundled along but was unable to stop the relentless pressure at times from Liverpool. Found a bit more defensive joy in the second-half though as the quality and pace of the game trailed off a bit.

James Rodriguez – 5  – Another quiet night, rarely getting on the ball or affecting Bayern’s play going forward. His corners however were a real danger that improved throughout, almost leading to a goal on multiple occasions.

Serge Gnabry  – 8 – A menace down the right-hand side, causing Robertson a lot of issues when the Scot was running back towards his goal. Had a good effort in the second half that missed the corner by a foot or two. Made an important defensive action to steal the ball of Mane who was about to pull the trigger in the 68th minute.

Robert Lewandowski – 6 – Not hugely involved due to the nature of the game and thanks to Bayern’s commitment to playing along the floor from back-to-front. The Poland international had eight goals in six Champions League games this season going into tonight but was kept to minimal chances.

Kingsley Coman – 7 – The 22-year-old was a threat for the Bavarians throughout but produced little of substance in the end.

Substitutions: 

Franck Ribery (on for Coman 81′) – 5  – Put a late shift in for his side but  wasn’t on long enough to force much else.

Renato Sanchez (on for James Rodriguez 87′) – N/A – A late sub.

Rafinha (on for Serge Gnabry 91′) – N/A – A late sub.

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