Owen Hargreaves has claimed that Liverpool’s full-backs could be key to their hopes of getting past Bayern Munich in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash.
The Reds take a 0-0 draw into the second leg match at the Allianz Arena knowing that a score draw would be enough for them to sneak into the last eight.
And former Bayern man Hargreaves was quick to namecheck Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson as key to any hopes of success.
Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “I think the big one for both teams is the full-backs. Some of the best attacking full-backs in the world of football.
“How much do you commit? It’s going to be a fine blend.
“I thought in the first leg Bayern Munich’s full-backs were just brilliant at protecting the two centre-backs, but today at home, they’re going to have to be more ambitious – and the same for Liverpool.
“Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, two of the best in the game, how far do they decide to go forward? That battle from both teams is going to be really interesting.”
"The battle at full-back could be where the game is won and lost."
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold vs David Alaba and Rafinha (Joshua Kimmich is suspended)
Which pair would you rather have? ?https://t.co/uqhMKmsHw1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2019
OPINION
Liverpool’s full-backs are arguably two of the best in the European game, and when they are on top form, it is hard to put into words the threat they can pose to an opposition. Defensively, both are solid, and it’s hard to think of the last time that either of them really put a foot wrong in their own third, but the potential damage they can cause going forward is where they really come int their own. Both are capable of delivering inch perfect, devastating crosses, and both are more than adept at making the kind of driving, lung busting runs that defenders hate to face and wingers hate to track. It will be fascinating to see how they approach Wednesday’s game, and how much licence to roam they will be given by Jurgen Klopp in a tie when one goal could swing it either way. Bayern have more to lose in that respect, and you get the impression that the caution they will be forced to employ could be enough of an invite to let Alexander-Arnoled and Robertson run riot.
