Bayern Munich 0-2 Liverpool: Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah on the scoresheet

Some bloke on Twitter: “Imagine Van Dijk sitting down with the officials at Southampton, while seeing this Liverpool performance, and knowing Klopp wants you.”

HT: BAYERN MUNICH 0 – 2 LIVERPOOL

45: Yellow! Rafinha has ploughed into Sadio Mane for the umpteenth time today and goes in the book. Pure frustration.

Philippe Coutinho, who’s been very quiet indeed, lofts the free-kick over everyone and out of play.

43: Alberto Moreno plays a lovely ball through the middle to Emre Can, but the German hasn’t for the pace to do any damage. That coming from a man who struggled to break 20 seconds in the 100m sprint…

39: Well, this is bizarrely easy for Liverpool. The German champions aren’t at their best, but they’re being made to look especially average by a lightning-fast Liverpool side.

35: BAYERN MUNICH 0 – 2 LIVERPOOL – SALAH

Mohamed Salah certainly doesn’t hang around, that’s his fourth pre-season goal!

Sadio Mane was the architect. He flicked the ball to Alberto Moreno, who’s shot was parried into Salah’s path and the Egyptian international heads in from point-blank range.

Manchester United, Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea might want to be taking note of this match.

31: Updates from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Allianz Arena.

Alberto Moreno is out there playing like his Liverpool future is on the line and it is.

The Spain defender has already set up a good chance for Mohamed Salah and now has forced Ulreich into a good stop with a free-kick.

The arrival of Andrew Robertson at left back with James Milner already commanding the starting position in that role means it looks like Moreno’s time is up but maybe he will give Jurgen Klopp something to think about here.

27: Ooooh, this is Philippe Coutinho territory. Alaba fouls Roberto Firmino just outside the area. Coutinho strides up, but Alberto Moreno takes it off him and forces a terrific save from a left-footed strike that was heading into the top-right. He’s like a new signing!

25: Immediate panic as Sadio Mane goes down under a robust challenge. Don’t worry folks, he’s back on his feet.

23: Updates from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Allianz Arena.

It has been ridiculously hot all day here in Munich but now the Allianz Arena is suffering storm weather. The rain is so heavy fans are leaving their seats to go for cover but the pitch seems to be holding up fine.

20: Here goes Sadio Mane… and there goes possession. The rapid winger, who’s playing on the left wing tonight, charges forward but lazily chips the final ball back to goalkeeper, Ulreich.

Thiago looks to have a problem and he’s heading for an early bath. Renato Sanches replaces him. The youngster has been linked with Liverpool recently. Let the audition begin.

16: I can hear thousands of Fantasy Football managers logging into their accounts and sticking Sadio Mane in their sides. I certainly have.

Alaba lines up a free-kick just outside the area but his skidding shot goes wide.

13: Save! Alberto Moreno drives down the left flank and crosses the ball into the unmarked Mohamed Salah, whose low near-post strike is tipped wide. Could, and probably should, have been 2-0.

10: Bayern aren’t looking their usual spritely selves. Sloppy mistakes and everything’s slow. Liverpool, on the other hand, are fighting for everything and looks very good indeed.

7: BAYERN MUNICH 0 – 1 LIVERPOOL – SADIO MANE

Not epic? How wrong was I!

Liverpool grab the lead thanks to Sadio Mane. Roberto Firmino, whose teeth are whiter than ever, dispossessed Tolisso before slotting in Mane to smash it across the keeper.

That high press really paid off there. Quick, clinical and deadly from the visitors.

6: Wow, the lightning is pretty epic, but there’s nothing epic about the start of this match. Very slow.

The Reds are pressing high up the pitch, and goalkeeper Loris Karius was forced to charge off his line to clear a speculative punt forward. He just made it.

3: BAYERN MUNICH 0 – 0 LIVERPOOL

An electrical storm appears to have engulfed Munich (not literally), but the game is underway as lightning flashes above. Nothing to report yet.

19:33: Paul Ince: “Liverpool need to score more goals. That’s been the issue.” Not quite sure he’s right with that one… Oh, Robbie Fowler has just agreed. Am I living in an alternate universe where last season’s third-highest scorers aren’t doing enough? It’s the defence, lads!

19:29: Are we all obeying the laws of pre-season folks? You know, any victory is celebrated far too much and a defeat is mercilessly ridiculed online? Good. Just checking.

19:28: Bayern haven’t enjoyed the best of pre-season tours.

They’ve been beaten by Arsenal, Inter Milan and AC Milan during their various trips, but salvaged some pride by beating Chelsea. Can Jurgen Klopp’s side put Ancelotti under a bit more pressure tonight? We’ll find out in a couple of minutes.

19:25: A quick reminder of tonight’s starting XI’s…

Bayern Munich XI: Ulreich, Hummels, Thiago, Ribery, Martinez, Lewandowski, Rodriguez, Rafinha, Tolisso, Muller, Alaba.

Subs: Fruchtl, Sule, Crnicki, Rudy, Vidal, Coman, Kimmich, Tillman, Friedl, Sanches, Mai, Awoudja, Wintzheimer, Heiland.

Liverpool XI: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Ward, Robertson, Flanagan, Klavan, Wijnaldum, Grujic, Lallana, Ejaria, Kent, Woodburn, Solanke, Sturridge.

19:20: Who doesn’t love Carlo Ancelotti? He’s fully equipped with the charm of James Bond, the looks of an older George Clooney and an eyebrow that makes Dwayne Johnson look like an amateur.

Anyway, he’s endeared himself to Liverpool fans after revealing that he expects Jurgen Klopp to lead Liverpool into the Champions League group stages.

The Champions League this year will be more competitive because there are some really important English teams in the competition,” Ancelotti said.

“United, City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool – I think Jurgen will win qualification.

“I hope Jurgen gets Liverpool Champions League qualification. With Liverpool in the contest, it would be much more competitive.

“The Champions League will surely be more difficult to win.”

19:15: I can confirm that Xabi Alonso is at the Allianz Arena to watch tonight. He’s retired of course, so don’t expect him to make an appearance. Although I bet he could still do a job.

19:10: Just to keep you informed with the latest and greatest from the prestigious Audi Cup – Atletico Madrid beat Napoli 2-1.

Callejon opened the scoring for the Italian side, but Fernando Torres and Vietto struck back to give Diego Simeone’s side the win.

So, by my calculations – the winner of tonight’s match will play Atletico in the final.

19:05: I’ve got the television ready for tonight’s match, but ITV 4 have decided to show us 15 minutes of ‘British Touring Cars – Crashes and Smashes’ before coverage begins.

“Crash! Bang! Wallop! What A Video!”

19:00: Some very interesting news coming into us at Express Towers folks. Liverpool will play in their white away kit for the first time. I said it was interesting, not exciting or particularly useful.

One fan described it as the ‘Ugliest kit we have had in years…’ Now that’s a review!

18:50: Elsewhere in transfer land, Liverpool youth-team goalkeeper Shamal George has joined League Two side Carlisle on loan after signing a new contract with the Reds.

The 19-year-old completed the formalities on an extension to his current deal before moving to Cumbria for a temporary spell initially lasting until January.

18:45: What does Jurgen Klopp think about everything? I’ll let him explain.

He said: “If you say he is not available to be sold, where is the interpretation? The word ‘not’ means there is no interpretation. There is nothing new.”

Pretty comprehensive stuff.

18:40: Bayern Munich XI: Ulreich, Hummels, Thiago, Ribery, Martinez, Lewandowski, Rodriguez, Rafinha, Tolisso, Muller, Alaba.

Subs: Fruchtl, Sule, Crnicki, Rudy, Vidal, Coman, Kimmich, Tillman, Friedl, Sanches, Mai, Awoudja, Wintzheimer, Heiland.

18:30: I’ll now attempt to unravel the Philippe Coutinho transfer web, which is a bit like trying to understand the plot of Interstellar – only less sexy.

Barcelona want Coutinho to replace Neymar, who looks like he’s heading to Paris St-Germain. They’ve already seen a £72million bid rejected because Liverpool value him at £107m.

To meet those demands, Barcelona want to include Arda Turan or Denis Suarez in part-exchange. But Liverpool aren’t interested.

Spanish publication Don Balon claim Liverpool want star midfielder Rakitic to be included instead, which Ernesto Valverde doesn’t want.

Just to make things more confusing, Neymar has reportedly asked Coutinho to join him in Paris, but Lionel Messi thinks Barca have already struck the deal.

Is that everything? Probably not but I’m expecting this saga to rumble on longer than my insurance claim for that broken phone…(see 18:05).

18:25: What d’ya reckon of that starting XI folks? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of the page. A prize MIGHT be awarded to the best one. That’s a lie, I don’t have the budget for that kind of thing…

18:20: OK, let’s have a look at Liverpool’s starting XI.

At first glance, it looks like the German tactician has fielded close to his strongest side that will probably start against Watford next weekend.

Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all occupy the attacking positions.

Loris Karius has been selected ahead of Simon Mignolet, with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip in central defence.

Alberto Moreno starts at left-back with summer signing Andy Robertson on the bench, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is at right-back.

18:15: Liverpool XI: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Ward, Robertson, Flanagan, Klavan, Wijnaldum, Grujic, Lallana, Ejaria, Kent, Woodburn, Solanke, Sturridge.

18:10: OK, enough of my tragic personal life. Let’s crack on with the football.

Jurgen Klopp has made some good acquisitions this summer with Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke added to his ranks. Liverpool are also undefeated in pre-season with victories over Crystal Palace, Leicester and Hertha Berlin.

But there’s only ONE thing anyone can talk about. Can you take a wild guess?

Yep, Philippe Coutinho.

I’ll address that thorny issue a little bit later, but in the meantime, you’ll be delighted to hear it’s 30 degrees in Munich… 

18:05: Don’t take my ranting about these pre-season tours too seriously folks. I managed to break my laptop and phone in two separate incidents today – so I’m bloody livid.

18:00: Good evening folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s pre-season encounter with German champions Bayern Munich.

Forget the International Champions Cup, ignore the Asia Trophy and completely blank that shambolic Emirates Cup that Arsenal somehow retained on Sunday, despite Sevilla winning both games…

Because tonight, the 2017 Audi Cup gets underway. It’s the tournament everyone’s been talking about.

PREVIEW

Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage of the Audi Cup 2017

Italy’s Napoli and Spain’s Atletico Madrid are the other two sides involved in the tournament

The winner of both semi-finals will square off in a final on Wednesday night

Bayern Munich v Liverpool: Divock Origi and Joe Gomez will miss the side’s two friendlies in Munich

Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Ward and Danny Ings are unavailable, but Loris Karius, Dejan Lovren and James Milner have all been passed fit

Philippe Coutinho is expected to start despite rumours of a high-profile move to Barcelona

Jurgen Klopp: “I’m always happy to be here in Munich. I think I won the last game here in a spectacular penalty shootout. I’m with a different club now so it’s nothing to do with Dortmund.

“The team Carlo has here is very good in every position. My affinity to Dortmund is strong but Carlo is a lovely person.

“It’s important to see what we can achieve against Bayern. They are a top team and I’ll be excited to see what kind of team they put out.”