Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Nigeria

Preview: Liverpool vs. Bayern Munich - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 31 July 2023, 08:37
A battle of the behemoths takes place at the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday lunchtime, as Liverpool lock horns with Bayern Munich in a tantalising friendly.

Jurgen Klopp's side most recently thumped Leicester City 4-0 in Kallang, while the German champions ended their Japanese stopover with a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale.

Match preview

Two months on from putting three unanswered goals past Leicester at the King Power, Liverpool's dominance over their Championship counterparts showed no signs of waning in Singapore, where a first-half flurry set the Reds on their way to a resounding triumph.

Darwin Nunez, Bobby Clark and Diogo Jota all made the net ripple before the break, while up-and-coming Scottish winger Ben Doak also got his name on the scoresheet in the second 45, as Liverpool kept up their remarkable streak of scoring four goals in every pre-season game so far this summer.

The Reds also amassed a quartet of strikes during their pair of German exhibition games with Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth - although they were forced to settle for a 4-4 draw against the latter - but few will be anticipating another four-goal haul against the perennial German champions.

Nevertheless, Klopp is witnessing new arrivals Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister immediately adapt to life in the Liverpool engine room, while talks over a move for Romeo Lavia are believed to be rumbling on in the background as Fabinho prepares to join Jordan Henderson in Saudi Arabia.

Wednesday's blockbuster tie will represent Liverpool's final friendly away from English soil before they cap off their summer exhibition period against Darmstadt 98 at Deepdale on August 7, and Klopp's men will then endeavour to give Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino a harsh welcome back to life in England during their Premier League opener on August 13.

While Liverpool's goalscoring feats in pre-season are admirable, the Reds' 12 strikes are dwarfed by Bayern's opening 27-0 obliteration of ninth-tier FC Rottach-Egern, but Thomas Tuchel's side have since struggled to assert their dominance in a pair of Japan-based contests.

Indeed, the Bavarians came up short in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on July 26, three days before a Tokyo tie with J1 League powerhouses Kawasaki Frontale, where only a second-half Josip Stanisic goal got Bayern over the line.

Tuchel lamented his side's pre-season fatigue as an explanation for their underwhelming display, but the German champions have not been afforded ample time to recover from their exertions as they board the flight to Singapore for their fourth exhibition game of the summer.

Monaco and Weinbeisser Kaltern will represent Bayern's final two friendly opponents ahead of their latest Bundesliga title defence, which the holders may or may not commence with Harry Kane leading the line, as club executives continue their efforts to appease cut-throat Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.

Familiar foes at the top level of European football down the years, Liverpool and Bayern have actually played out five draws in their nine competitive meetings, but the most recent affair saw Liverpool succeed 3-1 in the second leg of a 2018-19 Champions League last-16 clash.

Liverpool friendly form:

W

D

W

Bayern Munich friendly form:

Team News

Liverpool's recent thrashing of Leicester saw Szoboszlai make his return after a brief spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but Stefan Bajcetic, ex-Bayern lynchpin Thiago Alcantara and Conor Bradley were all left at home to continue their recoveries.

With no fresh concerns arising from the weekend, Klopp ought to put out a strong starting lineup given the calibre of opposition, thereby forcing Clark to accept a spot on the bench in spite of his memorable strike against the Foxes.

Caoimhin Kelleher could also return to the dugout as Alisson Becker regains possession of the gloves, while an attacking alteration could see Luis Diaz return to support Mohamed Salah and Nunez, the latter of whom has four goals from three friendlies so far.

Meanwhile, Bayern will head into Wednesday's game without former Liverpool man Sadio Mane, who similarly to Thiago will miss out on a reunion with his old employers as he closes in on a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.

Mane's imminent exit will further deplete an attack already missing the injured Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) and Thomas Muller (hip), while Manuel Neuer and new arrival Raphael Guerreiro are both dealing with leg problems and will miss out too.

Despite intense speculation over a possible move to Inter Milan, Yann Sommer remains in the Bayern goal for the time being and will continue to be protected by Kim Min-jae, who made his debut for the German champions in their win over Kawasaki.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Pavard, Kim, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Tel

We say: Liverpool 3-1 Bayern Munich

Facing an injury-hit and weary Bayern crop, who also have a lengthy plane journey from Japan threatening to harm their preparations, Liverpool arguably come into Wednesday's match as the favourites.

Previews by email

Top News

28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is hopeful that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A second-half Tottenham Hotspur fightback was in vain as Arsenal survived a monumental scare to triumph 3-2 in Sunday's Premier League North London derby. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal will travel to Germany for Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly started work to tie Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic down to new contracts. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will travel to Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with two of the biggest clubs in Europe set to lock horns. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to renew their interest in Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made progress in their bid to sign Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Birmingham City have reportedly joined Sheffield United in the race for Leeds United defender Luke Ayling. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford and Luton Town have reportedly learnt of Blackburn Rovers' asking price for leading marksman Sammie Szmodics. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Thomas Partey has been given the nod for Arsenal in their Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain have tied one of their teenage sensations down to a new contract amid suggestions that both Manchester clubs are interested in signing him. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that being denied a last-gasp winning goal against Aston Villa could prove to be "massive". 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was forced off in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has received a triple fitness boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has an untimely injury crisis to work around for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having both doused English hopes of Champions League stardom, German giants Bayern Munich and Spanish titans Real Madrid clash in the first leg of a mouthwatering semi-final at Allianz Arena on Tuesday night. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pendikspor vs. Kayserispor (Sunday, 2.00pm) Both Pendikspor and Kayserispor will be looking to boost their survival hopes when they meet at Pendik Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portimonense vs. Moreirense (Sunday, 3.30pm) The action continues in round 31 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Portimonense and Moreirense go head-to-head at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nijmegen vs. AZ (Sunday, 11.15am) Off the back of a first defeat in five matches last time out, NEC entertain the challenge of AZ Alkmaar at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday afternoon. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cadiz vs. Mallorca (Sunday, 1.00pm) Nuevo Mirandilla will play host to a huge La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon, with two clubs battling to stay in Spain's top flight, Cadiz and Mallorca, locking horns. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Milan vs. Torino (Sunday, 11.30am) Crowned Serie A champions with five games to spare, Inter Milan will continue their title celebrations on Sunday, when mid-table Torino visit San Siro. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Metz vs. Lille (Sunday, 12.00pm) Looking to extend their winning run in the top flight to three matches, Metz will welcome Champions League-chasing Lille to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mirren vs. Rangers (Sunday, 12.30pm) The second phase of the Scottish Premiership will kickstart this weekend with St Mirren hosting Rangers. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spurs vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 2.00pm) Looking to take the next step towards their first Premier League title in two decades, Arsenal will make the short trip across the capital to face fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have apparently been handed a significant boost in their hopes of signing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who would welcome a switch to Old Trafford. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal reportedly hope to bring three or four new statement signings to the club this summer as part of another lavish spending spree. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will be bidding to emulate an achievement last managed by Ian Wright when the Gunners tackle Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League North London derby. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea saw a last-gasp winner ruled out but nevertheless completed an impressive comeback to hold Aston Villa to a 2-2 Premier League draw at Villa Park.