Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez has spoken out on the threat Liverpool pose when the two teams meet later this month.
Liverpool host Bayern on the 19th of February and Rodriguez admits his side ‘must be prepared’.
Rodriguez on Liverpool’s threat
“Liverpool are very strong. They are a top team,” said Rodriguez, reports the Mirror. “Last year they reached the final. To get to the next round we need to be better prepared than they are.”
“They are great at counter-attacking, speedy and strong. We have to be prepared.”
It should be a very interesting couple of games. As Rodriguez says, preparation will be key but preparing for the threat Liverpool possess may be simpler than vice versa.
Liverpool will counter, likely utilising a 4-3-3 again and a hard-working midfield. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane should take up their roles from last season as Liverpool aim to counter.
It’s a system that Liverpool had great success with in Europe last year, even if they have played more 4-2-3-1 this season. The point is, however, that you largely know what to expect.
Bayern’s form this season
Bayern are tougher to predict, though. The Bavarians are 3rd in the Bundesliga, behind Borussia Monchengladbach on goal differenece and seven points back from Borussia Dortmund.
They’ve been inconsistent to say the least. There was a 5-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League and they also had a run of five straight wins recently.
However, Bayern have also played out several uninspiring draws with sides they expected to beat.
So do Liverpool play their own way expecting to beat this Bayern side, despite Bayern preparing for it?
Or do they treat Bayern as a threat, mix up their approach, and play more conservatively?
We don’t have to wait long to find out, of course. The meetings promise to be interesting ones and no matter what threat Liverpool choose to possess, Rodriguez and Bayern are in for a challenge.
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