Bayern Munich confirm 21-man squad travelling to Liverpool – with 3 key absentees

February 18, 2019
Jack Lusby

Bayern Munich have named a 21-man squad to travel to Liverpool for Tuesday night’s clash, with Jerome Boateng, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery missing out.

Bayern head to Merseyside for the first leg of the Champions League last 16 facing defensive issues and missing big-name personnel, much like their hosts.

This sets up the tie as an interesting battle between the two managers, with Niko Kovac looking to outsmart Jurgen Klopp as they both seek an early advantage before the return leg at the Allianz Arena on March 13.

Thomas Muller is suspended for the visitors, while Robben was already ruled out with a thigh injury, and now Bayern have confirmed Boateng and Ribery have also remained in Bavaria.

Ribery is absent due to the birth of his child, though could still join the squad.

Corentin Tolisso is another not named, with the Frenchman out for the long term with an ACL tear, with Kovac turning to inexperienced cover throughout his squad.

Lars Lukas Mai (18) and Maxime Awoudja (21) are included as part of the defensive ranks, while Alphonso Davies (18), Meritan Shabani (19) and Jeong Woo-yeong (19) flesh out Kovac’s forward line.

That youthful quintet have played 29 first-team minutes between them this season, with third-choice goalkeeper Christian Fruchtl also yet to make an appearance.

It is, therefore, relatively easy to predict Bayern’s starting lineup for Tuesday night, with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a back four of Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Niklas Sule and David Alaba.

Thiago Alcantara, James Rodriguez and Leon Goretzka could make up the midfield again, though Rodriguez may be required to support Robert Lewandowski in attack.

Two of Javi Martinez, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are likely to take up the final pair of spots, with Coman still considered a doubt due to an ankle problem.

If Ribery does in fact make a late flight to England, he could start in place of the Frenchman.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will definitely be without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, while Dejan Lovren and Xherdan Shaqiri are doubts, along with long-term absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ben Woodburn, Nat Phillips and Rhian Brewster.