Bayern Munich defender Eric Dier had little doubt fellow former Tottenham man Harry Kane would mark his hotly-anticipated return to north London by once again scoring against Arsenal.

Spurs’ all-time record scorer converted a first-half penalty in Tuesday evening’s Champions League quarter-final first leg to claim a remarkable 15th career goal against the Premier League leaders.

The spot-kick, awarded for William Saliba’s trip on Leroy Sane, added to Serge Gnabry’s finish to put Bayern ahead following Bukayo Saka’s early opener before Leandro Trossard levelled the tie at 2-2.

Dier shared the role of pantomime villain with England captain Kane at Emirates Stadium and was unsurprised to see his long-time team-mate register a 39th goal of an outstanding individual campaign.

“The stats would suggest he would (score),” said Dier. “You expect him to get a goal pretty much anywhere to be honest.

“It was a great penalty and Leroy did unbelievably to get it.

“It’s going to be a great second leg. We’re looking forward to it. We’re gong to do everything to go through.”

Asked about receiving relentless jeers from a raucous home crowd, Dier replied: “We were both expecting it, so it’s nice. It’s part of football. It’s something to enjoy.”

Bayern have endured a disappointing Bundesliga season by their own high standards and are on the cusp of relinquishing the title for the first time in 12 seasons.

Unbeaten runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen could take the crown from Thomas Tuchel’s side before next week’s return match with the Gunners.

Continental glory is Bayern’s only chance of salvaging their campaign and Dier feels the six-time European champions’ pedigree could prove pivotal.

“Obviously the club has an incredible history in the Champions League and we have a lot of players in the team that have won the Champions League that have incredible experience in the competition,” said the 30-year-old.

“That gives you confidence and as a club.

“The demands are always to win every game and win Champions Leagues and titles. So this is the normal pressure of a club like this. The expectation is to always try to win.”

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Liverpool injuries: Jurgen Klopp provides Alexander-Arnold & Jota update before Atalanta clash
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool starting to get key players back from prolonged absences
Alexander-Arnold and Jota among those who have been out of action
Update provided by Liverpool manager ahead of Europa League clash with Atalanta

By Toby Cudworth
Apr 10, 2024
Alexander-Arnold and Jota have been sidelined since February
Alexander-Arnold and Jota have been sidelined since February / Joe Prior/Clive Brunskill/Visionhaus/Getty Images
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out returns for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota against Atalanta in the Europa League.

Alexander-Arnold has not played for the Reds since February, when he was withdrawn after 45 minutes of the 3-1 win over Burnley in February, while Jota hasn't seen action after picking up a knee injury the following week at Brentford.

Jurgen Klopp has also been without first choice goalkeeper Alisson for two months, weakening Liverpool's arsenal in what has been a crucial period of fixtures.

They remain in the hunt for a second Premier League title in four years though, and remain favourites to win the Europa League. First, they must overcome a tricky-looking quarter-final tie against Atalanta - one that Klopp failed to rule Alexander-Arnold and Jota out of after their recent returns to training.

"Obviously we didn't rush it with them. Trent and Jota have been training together a lot for a couple of weeks," the German told his pre-match press conference. "They did a lot of training but they were doing very well yesterday.

Jurgen Klopp
Klopp's Liverpool side has been depleted by injuries / Michael Regan/GettyImages
"Stefan [Bajcetic] is different because he has been out for a little longer but now he is training for longer as well. I think after the long spell out, we might give him a game in the U21s and see how we go with that.

"But that won't be the case with the other three, Alisson as well. We will see how they go but they are back in training and we have to see how we use them. Yes, we need them back but we need them in the best possible shape and we need them in rhythm.

"It's always a challenge to reintegrate them but they are quality players so they will manage it. We will see over the next days and weeks but as for tomorrow, there's no decision yet."

Klopp may ultimately decide against risking the duo in midweek, with an important Premier League home game coming up against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Liverpool are no longer in control of their own destiny - barring a dramatic goal difference overhaul - with dropped points against Manchester United last weekend handing Arsenal top spot heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

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Ipswich miss chance to go top after being held by Watford

Ipswich missed out on the chance to take over at the Sky Bet Championship summit but did move up to second after they were held to a goalless draw at home to Watford.

After promotion rivals Leicester and Leeds dropped points on Tuesday, victory for Kieran McKenna’s men would have been the perfect tonic to Saturday’s 1-0 loss at bitter foes Norwich.

However, Tom Cleverley’s Watford proved stubborn opponents and Town had to settle for a point, which does lift them above Leeds with four games left in the battle to secure automatic promotion.

Ipswich were eager to bounce back from their East Anglian derby defeat and McKenna made four changes but watched his team almost fall behind after eight minutes.

Watford youngster Yaser Asprilla tried his luck from by the halfway line although, much to the relief of goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, it sailed a few inches over.

Town dominated possession and created their first chance when the recalled Harry Clarke burst forward and passed into Kieffer Moore, who teed up Nathan Broadhead but his low effort was saved by Daniel Bachmann.

Moore went close himself after 28 minutes when Kayden Jackson raced away down the right but his cross was swept wide by the Bournemouth loanee.

Ipswich impressively fashioned another chance eight minutes later when Hutchinson passed out wide to Broadhead, whose left-footed strike hit the inside of the post and rolled across the goal line to safety.

The Hornets were on the ropes and the next opportunity for the hosts was inadvertently blocked by Broadhead, who got in the way of a Jack Taylor shot.

After Bachmann had watched Ipswich lay siege to his goal, the Austrian stopper sprung into action three minutes before half-time with a superb save to deny a flying header by Moore from Clarke’s cross.

It ensured it was goalless at the break but Watford provided a reminder of their threat early in the second period when Asprilla sent in a dipping effort that Hladky could only parry away.

McKenna had seen enough and made a triple substitution with 26 minutes left.

The tension around Portman Road was palpable and gaps started to open up but Hladky thwarted Jamal Lewis’ low effort before Ipswich captain Sam Morsy slid in to deny Ismael Kone’s follow-up.

Town substitute Ali Al-Hamadi had a late shot deflected wide before Watford almost stole the points but Hladky batted away Edo Kayembe’s speculative effort deep into stoppage-time.