Liverpool face Bayern Munich against the Champions League

Dejan Lovren lost his fight to be ready for the Liverpool Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The center-center has not been training with his Reds teammates since returning from a trip to Croatia, his hometown, where he worked with a strength and conditioning trainer to solve a problem. hamstring.

Lovren's injury improved, but not enough to convince Kop boss Jurgen Klopp to choose him to face the Germans at Anfield, although his central defensive partner, Virgil van Dijk, is suspended and Joe Gomez is always away from injury.

It is understood that Klopp has prevented Lovren from starting, but there is a small chance that he can make his debut on the bench, due to the manager's selection problems. The Brazilian star Fabinho will replace Van Dijk alongside Joel Matip, but Klopp could consider choosing a young player for the bench if Lovren is not up to par.

Central defender Nat Phillips under 23 is still undergoing rehabilitation for an ankle injury and, although he has returned to training, he is not fit enough to be named in the team to face Bayern.

This means that Ki-Jana Hoever, an extremely promising 17-year-old who played against the Wolves in the FA Cup loss in January, will likely be recognized as an auxiliary team.

Bayern Munich are not what they were and trailing behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but former Dortmund boss Klopp acknowledges the size of the task his team is facing.

"They are good in all departments and we have to admit it because it's a fact," said Klopp. The bookies can not divide the two teams, so the Reds and Bayern have five to six favorites to qualify for the quarter-finals. This is a point of view that Klopp approves.

"We are a good player, we know it, but we are not going in the game as favorites," he said.

"They had a slight dip in the league, but they still have to face Dortmund in Munich. It is always possible to win the title seven times in a row. We will play with everything we have on Tuesday. I am really looking forward to it. It will be a fantastic atmosphere. "

The last meeting between Liverpool and Bayern goes back to the European Super Cup in August 2001, with the Mersey men winning 3-2.

They clashed for the last time in the semifinals of the European Cup in 1980-1981, winning away goals before beating Real Madrid in the final.

Bayern have played three times at Anfield and have never scored goals. He drew 0-0 twice and lost 3-0.

With his defense center midway between the center of defense, goalkeeper Klopp and midfielder Gini Wijnaldum were allowed to play despite a slight knee problem.