Liverpool added another special European night to the collection with a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich taking us to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After being held to a goalless first leg at Anfield, the Reds faced a daunting task in needing to find the right result at the Allianz Arena.
But Jurgen Klopp’s men summoned the spirit of ’81 to once again see off the German giants in their own backyard, courtesy of Sadio Mane’s brace and Virgil van Dijk’s header.
A stunning stage greeted the two teams, with the Allianz Arena one of the iconic stadiums of Champions League football.
Klopp made two changes to his starting lineup, with Jordan Henderson and James Milner coming in, and the German also welcomed Van Dijk to the fold after he missed the first leg.
It was a cagey start as the two sides showed each other complete respect and the early moments were very much a midfield battle.
Henderson was heavily involved in those opening exchanges, but he was forced off after just 12 minutes with an ankle injury—which hopefully isn’t too serious.
The priceless away goal came on 26 minutes and it arrived in stunning fashion as Mane spun away from Manuel Neuer and chipped into the far corner.
Bayern were back level just before half-time, when Joel Matip turned into his own net from Serge Gnabry’s fizzing cross into the box.
The Reds retained composure and oozed control despite being pegged back, and Salah grew into an increasing threat as the clock ticked on.
Everything was so finely poised but on 69 minutes Liverpool established clear daylight when Van Dijk powered home a bullet header from Milner’s corner.
Great scenes followed, with Firmino typically quick to arrive for the celebrations…
Bayern were left needing two goals, but instead it was the Reds who struck again as six minutes from time Mane grabbed his second of the night.
Salah floated over a delightful cross and the Senegalese headed into the same corner Van Dijk planted his own earlier on to wrap up victory.
It was Mane’s 10th goal in his last 10 games, with Super Sadio in red-hot form right now.
The Reds saw the game out and celebrated the moment with the jubilant travelling Kop who were stationed up in the gods..
Klopp also shared a moment with the fans, celebrating with his trademark fist-pumps, every one of them greeted with a roar…
It’s a truly stunning result and achievement from the Reds, knocking out a team who has reached the last-eight stage in all of the seven previous seasons.
This result will provide a huge boost to Liverpool’s belief for the title race ahead too, which resumes against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.
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