Bayern boss explains how Liverpool could ‘punish’ his side

Joe Williams
during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December 19, 2018 in Munich, Germany.

Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has a number of worries ahead of his side’s Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.

The Bundesliga outfit, who had some positive injury news ahead of the tie as Kingsley Coman was declared fit, will take on Jurgen Klopp’s men on Tuesday night at Anfield in a highly-anticipated clash.

However, the German giants haven’t had the best of seasons in Germany as they trail Dortmund by two points in the league and have played a match more than their rivals.

Kovac’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet since before Christmas and their defensive frailties were again exposed as Bayern edged out Augsburg 3-2 on Friday.

And the Bayern manager has admitted he is concerned that Liverpool will blow them away if they make mistakes defensively like they did against Augsburg.

“We struggled to get into the game,” Kovac said. “I can’t remember conceding a goal so early, that was very annoying.

“We knew that Augsburg wanted to play man against man and that they are a physical side. But we couldn’t organise the side and it took 35 minutes to settle it somehow.

“Every shot is a goal at the moment. When we have the ball, we don’t play like I expect the team to play.

“Their second goal is a good example. The second ball with all that room in the back is something that can’t happen, Liverpool would punish us for that sort of mistake.

“Defensively, we need to be better working backwards, and that is something that will be going into my analysis.”