LIVERPOOL ARE FAVOURITES against Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 tie, according to Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich.
The Bundesliga champions meet Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield in the first leg of the contest on Tuesday.
Liverpool finished second in their group behind Paris Saint-Germain, but their form in the Premier League has been hugely impressive, with 20 wins, one defeat and just 15 goals conceded in 26 matches.
By contrast, Bayern have struggled in the defence of their title and sit two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, having played a game more.
And Kimmich accepts his side are some way short of Europe’s best this season.
“Liverpool are the favourites,” the full-back told The Telegraph.
They have lost one league game all season and have let in only 15 goals. But when you look at us, we are not as consistent as before.
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“Now, it’s a bit different. It’s a chance to develop, to find new ways to success. We are close to Dortmund, in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, and still in the Champions League. So, not everything’s bad. But we need to improve our style of playing before we can compare to the best teams in Europe.”
Jurgen Klopp last week dismissed suggestions that his side should be expected to see off the German champions. Peter Byrne
Peter Byrne
Kimmich believes Klopp has helped to transform Liverpool due to his influence on the players at his command.
“It’s amazing, the emotion he has, on the field, with the fans,” he said. “You can see how he pushes his players to another level. Every player is better with this coach.”
However, for Kimmich, former Bayern boss Pep Guardiola remains the most inspirational figure.
“When I came to Bayern, I was a second-division player,” he said. “For me, it was a new world. The coach showed me a lot, showed me the spaces on the pitch. I improved just from training.
“He was amazing. Soon, I was a national player, competing in the European Championship. He changed me. He inspired me.”
Klopp, meanwhile, scoffed last week at suggestions that his side are favourites to advance against the German champions.
“It’s always being said that we’re the big favourite,” he told Sky Sport Germany. “I think that’s very funny.
“I see two extremely strong teams facing each other where I don’t know how is going to go through.
“I don’t feel like we’ve got through [already]. It will be really difficult for us – but it won’t be easy for Bayern.
“Our team continues to evolve. We have not won anything yet, that’s not so cool. But on the other hand our hunger is clear.”
- Omni
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Liverpool are favourites against inconsistent Bayern - Kimmich
LIVERPOOL ARE FAVOURITES against Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 tie, according to Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich.
The Bundesliga champions meet Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield in the first leg of the contest on Tuesday.
Liverpool finished second in their group behind Paris Saint-Germain, but their form in the Premier League has been hugely impressive, with 20 wins, one defeat and just 15 goals conceded in 26 matches.
By contrast, Bayern have struggled in the defence of their title and sit two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, having played a game more.
And Kimmich accepts his side are some way short of Europe’s best this season.
“Liverpool are the favourites,” the full-back told The Telegraph.
“Now, it’s a bit different. It’s a chance to develop, to find new ways to success. We are close to Dortmund, in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, and still in the Champions League. So, not everything’s bad. But we need to improve our style of playing before we can compare to the best teams in Europe.”
Kimmich believes Klopp has helped to transform Liverpool due to his influence on the players at his command.
“It’s amazing, the emotion he has, on the field, with the fans,” he said. “You can see how he pushes his players to another level. Every player is better with this coach.”
However, for Kimmich, former Bayern boss Pep Guardiola remains the most inspirational figure.
“When I came to Bayern, I was a second-division player,” he said. “For me, it was a new world. The coach showed me a lot, showed me the spaces on the pitch. I improved just from training.
“He was amazing. Soon, I was a national player, competing in the European Championship. He changed me. He inspired me.”
Klopp, meanwhile, scoffed last week at suggestions that his side are favourites to advance against the German champions.
“It’s always being said that we’re the big favourite,” he told Sky Sport Germany. “I think that’s very funny.
“I see two extremely strong teams facing each other where I don’t know how is going to go through.
“I don’t feel like we’ve got through [already]. It will be really difficult for us – but it won’t be easy for Bayern.
“Our team continues to evolve. We have not won anything yet, that’s not so cool. But on the other hand our hunger is clear.”
- Omni
Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:
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