Frans Kratzig’s blistering stoppage-time strike gave Bayern Munich an entertaining 4-3 friendly win over Liverpool in Singapore.
Cody Gakpo fired Liverpool into a second-minute lead and new captain Virgil van Dijk doubled their advantage before the half-hour.
Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane were on target to take Bayern in level at the break but another all-action winger, Luis Diaz, came off the bench to restore Liverpool’s lead.
Josip Stanisic converted when Alisson saved from Matthijs de Ligt 10 minutes from time and the Liverpool goalkeeper had no chance when rookie left-back Kratzig latched onto a raking ball to smash into the top corner.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich final score
| Result | Goalscorers | |
| Liverpool | 3 | Gakpo ‘2, Van Dijk ’28, Diaz ’66 |
| Bayern | 4 | Gnabry ’33, Sane ’43, Stanisic ’80, Kratzig 90+1 |
Starting lineups:
Liverpool (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Alisson (GK) — 66-Trent Alexander-Arnold (2-Joe Gomez), 32-Joel Matip (5-Ibrahima Konate), 4-Virgil van Dijk, 26-Andy Robertson (21-Kostas Tsimikas) — 8-Dominik Szoboszlai, 17-Curtis Jones, 10-Alexis Mac Allister (9-Darwin Nunez) — 11-Mohamed Salah, 18-Cody Gakpo (19-Harvey Elliott), 20-Diogo Jota (7-Luis Diaz)
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1, right to left): 27-Yann Sommer (GK) (26-Sven Ulreich) — 5-Benjamin Pavard (40-Noussair Mazraoui), 2-Dayot Upamecano (44-Josip Stanišić), 3-Kim Min-jae (4-Matthijs de Ligt), 19-Alphonso Davies (41-Frans Kratzig) — 24-Konrad Laimer (8-Leon Goretzka), 6-Joshua Kimmich — 7-Serge Gnabry (38-Ryan Gravenberch), 42-Jamal Musiala, 10-Leroy Sane (11-Kingsley Coman) — 39-Mathys Tel (46-Arijon Ibrahimovic)
Gakpo and Diaz goal threat boosts Klopp
Although the end of the game won’t have been to his liking, Liverpool’s threat going forward throughout preseason is the big plus for Jurgen Klopp to take back on the flight home. Gakpo’s slick exchange of passes with Jota that preceded a destructive run and finish were out of the top drawer, while Diaz looked somewhere close to his pre-injury best either side of a sublime touch and rasping shot on the end of Mohamed Salah’s return pass midway through the second half.
It wasn’t a perfect evening as Darwin Nunez’s erratic finishing left the door ajar for Bayern but there are definitely signs Liverpool can become a more consistent force in front of goal this season. The Reds’ 75 goals last term were the third most in the division, but 22 of those were concentrated in three astonishing wins over Bournemouth, Manchester United and Leeds.
Trent Alexander-Arnold shows old frailties
Alexander-Arnold was revitalised towards the end of last season, playing in a hybrid defender/midfielder role. Bayern’s two first-half goals were a reminder of the drawbacks that come alongside the England international’s ample gifts. Alexander-Arnold played Gnabry onside and then did not chase back to help out Joel Matip, who was easily beaten by the Germany international to score.
Gnabry turned provider for Sane and once again romped into the space that an orthodox right-back would have been expected to cover. Alexander-Arnold’s new role is a taxing one, effectively asking him to play two positions at once. John Stones has had success doing a similar job at Manchester City, although his tendencies as a more natural defender guard against Pep Guardiola’s backline being exposed in the same way that Matip was on Wednesday.
Who is Frans Kratzig?
A 20-year-old at home in both midfield and defence, Kratzig has made an impression as a raiding left-back during preseason.
He was forced to play mostly on the back foot during Bayern’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, defending superbly during the second half in Tokyo and providing the cross for Mathys Tel’s equaliser.
Those attacking qualities were more to the fore against Liverpool and he crowned another enterprising performance with a spectacular goal. Alphonso Davies impressed during the first half, meaning left-back is hardly a problem position for Tuchel, but a player still yet to make a senior competitive appearance has done his prospects no harm at all.
A special message from the skipper, @VirgilvDijk ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A9oiYJHGTs
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich live updates, highlights, commentary
FULLTIME: Liverpool 3-4 Bayern Munich
Alisson makes a couple of excellent late saves to prevent Bayern from adding gloss to the scoreline and a captivating contest continues. That was awfully good fun. Both managers might not agree given the defensive vulnerabilities they showed but both sides laid on some fabulous entertainment. Thanks for joining us.
90th minute+1:GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! Frans Kratzig!!!!
Ohhhh, what a way to win it! Kratzig has once again produced a very impressive cameo from the bench. Bayern’s young left-back latches on to a lofted ball forward and slams a blistering strike past Alisson.
90th minute: Four minutes of stoppage time to avoid penalties…
84th minute: We’ll have penalties here if the game finishes level. Nunez should have just scotched that possibility. Diaz prompts more panic in the Bayern box but Nunez can’t prod his pass beyond Ulreich.
80th minute: GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! Josip Stanisic!!!!
Bayern get back on terms once more. De Ligt is afforded a free header from a right-wing set play. Alisson saves well but Stanisic slams home the rebound.
77th minute: Two of Liverpool’s young stars combine with Ben Doak romping down the right wing and cutting back for Bobby Clark. Ulreich needs two goes at grabbing the cross but holds on.
66th minute: GOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Luis Diaz!!!
It’s been on the cards and that’s a fabulous goal. Diaz starts the whole thing off, picking out Salah with a crossfield pass and he continues his run. The first touch from Salah’s return pass is immaculate and the Colombia winger crashes a finish past Ulreich.
Started the move and finished it in style :dizzy:
A lovely, lovely goal from Lucho :football2: pic.twitter.com/mi70a8HUpW
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
65th minute: As Bayern try to work out their reconfigured lineup, Liverpool are looking to take advantage. Salah has room to operate and again picks out Nunez in the box. Leon Goretzka, one of the few men on the pitch who is a physical match for Liverpool’s No. 9, gets back to pinch the ball.
64th minute: Salah slips in a cute ball for Nunez down the right channel. The angle is against the Uruguay striker and he lifts his shot into the side netting.
62nd minute: More changes for both sides, with the opening goalscorer Gakpo among those to depart before Alisson punches a corner to safety.
56th minute: Smart interplay from Liverpool before Szoboslai’s daisy-cutter gives Sven Ulreich a routine save.
53rd minute: Coman has been all over this game since coming on. Now he darts in the Liverpool box to bring down a high ball and Alisson comes out to save his left-footed shot.
51st minute: Coman leaves Robertson splayed out on the turf and a fantastic run ends when Szoboszlai stabs clear.
50th minute: A chance for one of the other new arrivals but Darwin Nunez misjudges his header.
46th minute: We’re back underway and there have been several changes. Kingsley Coman is one of those for Bayern and he features in an early attack before
HALFTIME: Liverpool 2-2 Bayern Munich
An action-packed half comes to a close. We’ll probably see a few changes during the break. I wouldn’t expect to see Mac Allister re-emerge. The Argentina midfielder took a blow to the knee just before the whistle and Klopp will be reluctant to take any risks with his star summer signing.
45+2 minute: Back come Liverpool and Diogo Jota is in down the Bayern left – neither right-back has covered themselves in glory here. The Portugal forward fires across Sommer, who makes the save.
44th minute: Ohhhh, Bayern really should be ahead. Davies picks Salah’s pocked inside the Liverpool half and the Bundesliga champions are off again. Tel takes possession in the area but shoots too close to Alisson.
43rd minute: GOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! Leroy Sane!!!!
Gnabry surges forward, cuts the ball across the box to Sane and his finish is unerring. The Germany winger had a fine record against Liverpool during his time with Manchester City and there’s another moment to enjoy. Tuchel, pumping his first on the touchline certainly did.
33nd minute: GOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! Serge Gnabry!!!!
The space in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the most fruitful area for Bayern to attack. Kim pumps a long ball in that direction and Gnabry drifts off the shoulder. He cuts in onto his right foot and reduces the arrears.
28th minute: GOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! Virgil van Dijk!!!!
Well, well, after Liverpool’s earlier lucky escape from a corner, skipper Van Dijk towers above the Bayern defence and powers home.
Big Virg rising highest for our second goal 💥⚽ pic.twitter.com/mztkSUgKjb
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
26th minute: Salah looks like he might be away but Davies is rapid and sees off the danger. Bayern head up the other end and Alisson holds a speculative Gnabry effort from 25 yards.
22nd minute: It’s warm out there. Very warm. The players are stopping for drinks. Liverpool looked like running away with it during the opening stages but for the past 10 minutes or so, Bayern have been the better side.
17th minute: More tidy interplay from Bayern, with Davies to the fore. Van Dijk concedes a corner and Liverpool acquit themselves better from Kimmich’s latest set-piece.
11th minute: Should be 1-1. The left-wing delivery is knocked back across goal where Pavard has a free header from four yards. He hits the post and then nods the rebound over. An awful miss.
10th minute: Liverpool partly clear the corner but back come Bayern and Szoboszlai gets a block in Gnarby to concede another
9th minute: Musiala looking to turn the tide and glides past Jones’ half-hearted challenge. Into the box and Van Dijk boots the ball agriculturally behind.
4th minute: Bayern all at sea here as Jota breaks away down the left. He passes inside to Salah and Kim makes a vital last-ditch intervention.
2nd minute: GOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! Cody Gakpo!!!!
Flying start for Liverpool, Gakpo suggest forward from the left, he has options inside but goes it alone and rams a shot high past Sommer. Excellent finish.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
1st minute: Off we go. This is the first meeting between Klopp and Tuchel since Liverpool and Chelsea drew both English domestic cup finals in 2022 and the Reds won each of them on penalties.
5 mins to kickoff: The teams are in the tunnel and here they come. Van Dijk leading Liverpool out. Time to get used to that.
25 mins to kickoff: It’s going to be interesting to get a look at summer signings Szoboszlai and Mac Allister in tandem. Liverpool’s midfield had been overdue a refit and with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho now out of the door, a new era is ready to take flight.
45 mins to kickoff: Here’s what the Bayern side looks like. Much like Liverpool, plenty of star names and a start for French teenager Mathys Tel in attack after his goal against Manchester City last week.
1 hr 15 mins to kickoff: Liverpool have gone early with their team announcement and it’s a strong lineup from Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds to take on Bayern Munich in Singapore 👊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
1 hr 30 mins to kickoff: Hello and welcome to the Sporting News’ live coverage of Liverpool vs. Bayern Munich at the Singapore National Stadium, the final match of each club’s preseason tours.
Matchday in Singapore 🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/F61hBKDUON
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2023
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich lineups
Recent arrival Dominik Szoboszlai returned from an ankle injury against Leicester. Thiago Alcantara remains sidelined so misses out on a reunion with his former teammates.
Liverpool lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Alisson (GK) — 66-Trent Alexander-Arnold, 32-Joel Matip, 4-Virgil van Dijk, 26-Andy Robertson — 8-Dominik Szoboszlai, 17-Curtis Jones, 10-Alexis Mac Allister — 11-Mohamed Salah, 18-Cody Gakpo, 20-Diogo Jota
Sadio Mane‘s move to Al Nassr means he is one of several Saudi Pro League players with links to Liverpool. More immediately for Bayern, it leaves them under-manned in attack with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) and Thomas Muller (hip) injured.
The game comes too soon for new signing Raphael Guerreiro.
Bayern Munich lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sommer — Pavard, Kim, De Ligt, Davies — Kimmich, Goretzka — Sane, Musiala, Coman — Tel
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich live stream, TV channel
This preseason friendly takes place at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang, Singapore and kicks off on Wednesday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m. local time.
MORE: Watch Premier League on Fubo in USA and on Fubo in Canada
| Date | Kickoff time | TV | Streaming | |
| USA | Wed, Aug 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET | — | Paramount+, LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| Canada | Wed, Aug 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| UK | Wed, Aug 2 | 12:30 p.m. BST | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| Australia | Wed, Aug 2 | 9:30 p.m. AEST | — | Paramount+, LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| India | Wed, Aug 2 | 5:00 p.m. IST | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| Hong Kong | Wed, Aug 2 | 7:30 p.m. HKT | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| Malaysia | Wed, Aug 2 | 7:30 p.m. MYT | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
| New Zealand | Wed, Aug 2 | 11:30 p.m. NZST | — | LFCTV/LFCTV GO |
USA & Australia: Paramount+ will stream the game in the US and Australia. The subscription is $4.99 in the States or $9.99 if you wish to go ad free. In Australia, Paramount+ is available for $8.99.
Rest of the world: Liverpool’s in-house LFCTV subscription service is available worldwide. Viewers in Australia without a Paramount subscription can watch the game on delay via LFCTV GO.
