Injury and suspension plague first leg of Bayern Munich vs. Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich and David Alaba of Bayern Munich warm up during the FC Bayern Muenchen Training Session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Liverpool and FC Bayern Muenchen at Anfield on February 18, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich and David Alaba of Bayern Munich warm up during the FC Bayern Muenchen Training Session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Liverpool and FC Bayern Muenchen at Anfield on February 18, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Injuries and suspension will play their part when Liverpool host Bayern Munich tomorrow in the most anticipated tie of the Champions League round of 16.

Bayern Munich arrived in Liverpool earlier today ahead of their huge Champions League clash at Anfield tomorrow. The Bavarian giants go into the match as slight underdogs, but they may have some reason for optimism.

Liverpool will be missing a few key players for the big match at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk, a player who completely changes the way his side defend. The Reds won’t just be without their best defender, though. They will also be missing their second and third choice center-backs.

Joe Gomez has been out injured since the end of 2018. Though just 21-years-old, Gomez has turned into a key defender for the Premier League leaders. Dejan Lovren, meanwhile, has struggled with fitness issues of his own and is doubtful for tomorrow’s match after missing training earlier today.

More from Bayern Strikes

It’s not just defense where Liverpool could be without a key player, though. Roberto Firmino was also absent from today’s training session, per Sky Sports. There’s not much word about the Brazilian’s shock absence. He could simply have had a stomach bug or something similar and will be okay for tomorrow’s match.

Finally, former Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has been fighting for fitness recently as well. He’ll undergo a late test ahead of tomorrow’s match against his former side.

Liverpool aren’t the only ones who will be affected by injury and suspension. Bayern have to deal with a few problems of their own. Thomas Muller will not only miss the game in Anfield but also the return leg in Munich after receiving a two-match suspension from UEFA for his foul on Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico.

Arjen Robben has been injured for several months and will not be present for tomorrow’s game. Neither will Corentin Tolisso, who tore his ACL and meniscus just a few games into the start of the season.

Most recently, Jerome Boateng stayed behind in Munich instead of traveling to Liverpool with the rest of the squad. The Berlin-born defender is struggling with stomach issues and will tomorrow’s match. Dynamic midfielder Leon Goretzka missed training today and is also doubtful for the game on Tuesday.

It’s not all bad news for Die Roten, though. Kingsley Coman, who limped off after receiving a knock just before the final whistle of Friday’s game against Augsburg, has reportedly returned to team training and should be able to play a full 90 minutes tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s game should still be one of the best Champions League matches of the season, but injuries and suspension will certainly have their impact on the scoreline.