European governing body UEFA have confirmed that Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller will receive a two-match suspension for his red card against Ajax, meaning he will miss both legs of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Liverpool.

Müller was dismissed for a challenge on Nicolas Tagliafico in the 3-3 draw in the final game of Group A. The red card leads to an automatic one-match suspension, ruling the 29-year-old out of the first leg at Anfield on 19 February, but UEFA have decided to double the punishment and suspend the forward for both legs.

Bayern did appeal the decision in the hope of having Müller available for the return leg at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 13 March, but that has been rejected.

Liverpool are also without influential centre-back Virgin van Dijk for the first leg after he picked up his third yellow card of the competition. Manager Jürgen Klopp has started the Dutchman in every English Premier League and Champions League match so far this season, meaning a reshuffle is in order at the back for the Merseyside club’s home fixture if they’re to try and stop the competition’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski from adding to his tally.

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Thomas

Müller

FC Bayern München

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FC Bayern München

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