That was disappointing. It was a tough game, with few real chances - and hardly any shots on target - but at 0-0 it's still quite nicely poised. Obviously Bayern will be more pleased with that result than us, but not conceding was vital. We just didn't create enough, and what opportunities we did get, were wasted with some profligate shooting and sloppy final balls.
Allison (5) This was not up to his usual standards. A clean sheet is important, but he didn't really have to do much to deliver that, and some of his distribution was suicidal. After a nervy first half he calmed down after the break, but if Bayern had shown more ambition or attacking quality we could have been in trouble.
TAA (6) Saw quite a lot of the ball in an attacking sense, and was always trying to create something, but did make a few weird decisions in possession that could have been punished. Kept Coman largely quiet, which was good.
Matip (6) Nearly scored an own goal, which smacked into Allison luckily, and both were also involved in a horribly familiar Keystone Kops routine as mild panic set in. Improved afterwards, and showed some good pace and awareness in keeping Bayern at bay.
Fabinho (8) Very impressive display from a rapidly improving, influential and important player. Two great tackles sorted out defensive wobbles, but he wasn't as dominant in the air as Virgil, and that was noticeable. Still, was our best defender on the night and there's no worries about him playing there, although he's missed in midfield.
Robertson (5) Gnabry gave him a good gnoing over at times in a poor first half, and he was nowhere near his best in either half of the pitch, with overhit crosses and weak clearances. Improved in the second half, and looked more like his old self, but still not great at all.
Henderson (8) Superb for the first hour, making some great interceptions and covering an incredible amount of ground. Some lovely, incisive passing too, to go with the destructive side of his game. Wasn't quite as influential as the game ticked away, but still our best player on the night.
Keita (6) Some good close skills and movement after a subdued start, Keita seemed to grow into the game as he got more confident. Final ball still hit and miss, and he faded in the second half. I'm not sure whether the unpredictable nature of his play is accident or design, but it can be effective when (if) it works.
Wijnaldum (6) Pretty solid, if unspectacular, and his usually excellent passing deteriorated a bit after half time, and he seemed to run out of ideas.
Mane (6) Was our most likely player to score, and always looked dangerous, but his shooting was all over the place like a mad woman's piss and only managed one or two shots on target.
Salah (6) Had very few chances and no space, as the usual tactic of swarming him with defenders starved him of any clear chances. Made one himself before Wijnaldum got in his way, and one lovely backheel was breathtakingly impudent, but not much else apart from a volleyed effort and one far-post header
Firmino (6) Had a decent spell when he seemed to kick into life and actually managed to find some space to work in, but apart form one cross and a clever reverse ball, he was well-shackled by Bayern and couldn't do enough to really hurt Bayern. Not sure he even had a shot all night.
Subs:
Milner (6) Efficient use of the ball, and some good work linking up with his old mucker Robbo.
Origi (3) Only had 15 minutes but wasted every single one of them.
