Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Kallang’s National Stadium plays host to a mammoth summer friendly between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s first season at Anfield seven years ago, Liverpool’s recovery mission has been an utter success. Except for a goal-glutted 4-4 draw against Greuther Furth, the ‘Reds’ have won their two remaining warm-up clashes by an aggregate score of 8-2, overcoming Karlsruher and Leicester City in the process. Klopp’s attack has been like a Swiss watch of late, netting precisely four goals in their last four outings (W2, D2). Unfortunately, the Merseyside heavyweights have failed to impress defensively, going from three consecutive shutouts in May to keeping just one clean sheet in their last five matches. Nonetheless, they’ll take the field riding on an eye-catching 14-game unbeaten streak (W9, D5).
In the meantime, Bayern Munich’s campaign in Asia was off to a sluggish start as they lost to Barcelona 2-1 in their first game outside Europe before squeezing past J1 League outfit Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 last time out. Both goals Thomas Tuchel’s side scored in those games came beyond halftime, highlighting a lack of urgency in the early stages. A fast start could be crucial for Bayern as they bid to end an underwhelming six-game winless H2H run against Liverpool (D3, L3) and avenge a dreadful 3-1 defeat in their most recent encounter, which took place in the 2018/19 Champions League knockouts. However, the ‘Bavarians’ have blown hot an cold across their last five outings (W3, L2), scoring under 1.5 goals on three occasions.