Liverpool have been handed a huge boost ahead of their Champions League round of 16 clash with Bayern Munich.
German international Thomas Muller will miss both legs of the clash after he was sent off in Bayern's last European game.
UEFA have today announced that 29-year-old Muller is suspended for two games after clashing with Nicolas Tagliafico in the 3-3 draw with Ajax last month. He received a straight red card for the offence.
World Cup winner Muller protested his innocence on Twitter insisting there was no malice in the challenge. He posted: "I would like to apologise to Nico Tagliafico. There was no intention [in the foul]. Get well."
Muller has five goals and six assists from 25 games so far this season and his absence will be a huge blow for the Bundesliga side.
When the draw was made, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the tie was a difficult one but he was looking forward to the challenge: "Difficult... a good draw. It was clear it would be difficult and they are obviously a top side. For me it’s nice, going to Germany. But it’s just the draw.
"So we have now time to prepare the game, a lot of time obviously, and hopefully we have all our players available then. It will be a tough one, an interesting one, and I am looking forward to it.
"This is a different Bayern than what I played, we are already here for three years (and) since the Audi Cup. We all know the stadium, the atmosphere will be great. It’s a really nice trip for all our supporters, it’s a wonderful city, so that’s all good."
