Five defeats in a row. It may seem a statistic that does not belong to a team with a solitary league loss this season. It is Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League record away from Anfield.
The first of those losses, against Roma, did not prevent them from prevailing in last year’s semi-final. The second, against Real Madrid, cost them a sixth European Cup.
The last three meant that, for the first time in their history, Liverpool lost all three away group games. They averted an early exit but a sixth setback now would allow them to concentrate on the Premier League which, many think, would be a boon to their title push.
There is no doubt which trophy the majority of fans most want to win. For players, brought up in different countries and contexts, the aims may be different.
“I will be perfectly honest with you, the most prestigious competition for me is the Champions League but the dream for the entire city and the club is the league so I am happy to sacrifice my dream for their dream,” Mohamed Salah told Sky Sports. “But if we win both it would be great and this is what we are trying to do.”
And eliminating Bayern Munich would propel Liverpool into the position of one of the favourites for the Champions League. Amid the unfavourable omens of their recent record on the road, there are a couple of positive ones.
They drew 0-0 at Anfield three weeks ago. The previous time the first leg of one of their Champions League knockout ties ended goalless, it was the 2005 semi-final against Chelsea. Liverpool need no reminders what came next.
The 1981 semi-final at Anfield also brought a stalemate. The return fixture with Bayern remains one of Liverpool’s most celebrated draws; a 1-1 scoreline would do the trick again on Wednesday night, if someone can assume the mantle of Ray Kennedy, their scorer then.
The chances are that no one will become the next Howard Gayle, simply because the circumstances were so improbable. Gayle was the substitute who was substituted, but who ran Bayern ragged in just his second senior appearance, making such an impact his autobiography was called “61 Minutes in Munich”.
A makeshift defence included the understudies Colin Irwin and Richard Money. Now Liverpool can savour the sense they are being strengthened, not weakened. Fabinho will not have to be an auxiliary centre-back as Virgil van Dijk returns after suspension, ready to combat Robert Lewandowski.
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The long read: Belief and optimism the order of the day for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp
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Bayern’s 29-goal top scorer fired Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund to the 2012 Bundesliga crown. “You don’t need to give any opportunities to those strikers because they will punish you and they will score,” reflected the Dutchman. So Lewandowski has proved with back-to-back braces.
It has enabled Bayern to leapfrog his and Klopp’s old employers. “It’s a much more positive moment for Bayern – top of the table again, winning games comfortably again and all that stuff – so they are really back on track … if they ever left the track,” the Liverpool manager told the club’s official website. “I like that, not because I think it’s easier, just because it shows you in the analysis how strong they are.”
Liverpool scored five goals away at Porto at this stage in 2018. They have mustered a lone strike, a James Milner penalty against Paris Saint-Germain, on their ventures abroad this season. A side who destroyed defences at bewildering speed on their surge to the final may have been too cautious; indeed, they have not scored away from Anfield since February 4.
“Sometimes you have to know how to manage games,” Van Dijk added, but it is about getting the balance between defence and attack right.
It may bode well that Bayern have had two score draws in this season's Champions League. Yet while they have been held twice by Ajax, subsequently the conquerors of Real Madrid, Klopp set his sights higher.
“I’m thinking: how can we cause them problems they have never had in the season so far against other opponents?” he added. “They have, of course, really strong opponents but if we are at our best we can be exceptional. But we have to be, actually – if we play a normal game there we have no chance and then we should go out.”
But if Klopp’s Liverpool can be called many things, normal is rarely one of them.
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Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
BeIN Sports currently has the rights to show
- Champions League
- English Premier League
- Spanish Primera Liga
- Italian, French and Scottish leagues
- Wimbledon and other tennis majors
- Formula One
- Rugby Union - Six Nations and European Cups
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More coverage from the Future Forum
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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