Bayern Munich have a big obstacle to overcome in the form of Liverpool if they are to maintain their impressive record of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League.

The German champions have made it to the semi-finals in seven of the last nine seasons, though they have lifted the trophy just once during that sequence.

Bayern are also on a run of eight consecutive away games without defeat in the competition, but they come up against a Liverpool side without defeat in nine home matches on the continent.

A tight first leg can therefore be expected in one of the standout ties of the last-16 stage.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Bayern may line up for their trip to Merseyside.

Out: Thomas Muller (suspended)

Bayern were given a big scare in more ways than one in their 3-2 win against Augsburg last time out, as they twice had to battle back from two goals down and lost two-goal attacker Kingsley Coman to an ankle injury.

However, the Bavarian giants have since confirmed that Coman will be fit to play a part at Anfield, which is good news as Muller will miss both legs through suspension.

Niko Kovac must decide whether to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation or a 4-3-3, as he used against Augsburg, which will determine whether or not James Rodriguez is given a start through the middle.

There is also a decision to be made in the engine room, as Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez are battling for inclusion, with Thiago Alcantara expected to retain his place in front of the back four.

Robert Lewandowski will be the first name on the teamsheet as he leads the Champions League scoring charts this term with eight in total, and he is aiming to find the back of the net for a fifth consecutive European game - something he has not previously managed in the same season.