There is a fine line on a football field between respect and fear. Bayern Munich were the wrong side of it, petrified into submission by Jurgen Klopp’s irresistible side.

Such was the level of deference the German champions afforded Liverpool, it would have been no surprise had they granted the visitors a guard of honour as they entered the Allianz Arena. They certainly should have offered one as they walked off after a second-half performance ranking as highly as any since the club's last European Cup win.

Even accounting for the fact Liverpool reached the Champions League final a year ago, this was a leap forward. If last season was all about delivering victories built on scintillating attacking blitzes, here we saw the controlled, mature side that is competing for the Premier League.

Ahead of both legs, Klopp spoke of Liverpool being real contenders again. Just words to some. The evidence was in the deeds of his rival Niko Kovac.

Bayern were cautious and hesitant, anxious about leaving a yard for Liverpool’s front trio, daring the visiting midfield to locate the killer pass. This was the football of the terrified. It was a strategy designed having studied Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah havoc-wreaking in Europe last season.