Liverpool travel to the Westfalenstadion in Germany, to square off against a rampant Borussia Dortmund side, in the first leg of the blockbuster Europa League Quarter Final. Jurgen Klopp will take to the technical area of the opposing manager in a stadium which had chanted his name with glee for the best part of seven years.
This time however, the Dortmund fans will hope to see their team inflict pain on an ever smiling Klopp and his enigmatic Liverpool side. Liverpool go into the game, hoping to snatch a result they can carry to Anfield in the return leg but will be aware that they are in for what will surely qualify as the toughest games of their season against Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten 2
Date and Time: 8th April 2016, 12:35 A.M. IST
Venue: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Live Streaming: http://www.tensports.com/football
Team News
Borussia Dortmund
Thomas Tuchel is without Neven Subotic this time and will look to reinstate Mats Hummels to the starting line up. Ilkay Gundogan has returned to training after a brief period out with injury but will, in all likelihood, start the game on the Dortmund bench. Aside from this, the Dortmund side should be at full strength for the game.
Liverpool
Liverpool have been handed a major fitness boost by Roberto Firmino, who is set to take to the field against Borussia Dortmund after having passed a fitness test the other day. Liverpool otherwise, have no fresh injury concerns from their last game with Christian Benteke is still out with an injury with concern growing that he may not be fit for the remainder of the season.
Divock Origi might be preferred in the starting line up to Daniel Sturridge considering the Belgian’s physical presence and work rate.
Probable Lineups
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Burki; Piszczek, Ginter, Hummels, Schmelzer; Weigl, Sahin; Kagawa, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Aubameyang
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Henderson; Milner, Firmino, Coutinho; Origi
Form
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are in scintillating form at the moment and can seem to do almost nothing wrong. Having won all of their last five games in all competitions, the German side look poised to make it six in six. Their victories in the last five also include two versus English side, Tottenham whom they knocked out in convincing fashion across two legs.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-W-W-W ( Last match: Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Werder Bremen)
Liverpool
Liverpool have two draws and a defeat in their last five games. While that little form guide hardly makes for a great reading, this Liverpool side are known to be quite capable of springing a surprise. Having drawn against Tottenham, the aftershocks of the shock defeat at Southampton, when they were leading 2-0 at half time, will have mellowed down a bit.
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Liverpool show their best side in a game that they will need everything in their locker to take a result from.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-D-L-D( Last match: Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur)
Key Stats
- Liverpool have conceded only six goals in their last twelve Europa League games.
- Borussia Dortmund have won all four of their knockout round games in the Europa League this season.
- Liverpool have kept clean sheets in their last three encounters against Borussia Dortmund.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last ten Europa League games.
Key Battles
Divock Origi vs Matthias Ginter
From being named in the Ligue 1 worst team of the season, to becoming a firm favorite with manager Jurgen Klopp, Divock Origi has had a wild couple of seasons. The Belgian was not expected to take the long strides he has taken under the German manager this season.
Origi has become a real physical player capable of engaging the opposition single handedly with his pace and power. Wonderfully agile for his build, Divock Origi may well prove to be Liverpool’s secret weapon in this high octane clash with his physicality possibly creating the space that the Brazilian duo behind him will need to wreak havoc on Borussia Dortmund’s hardworking defense.
Matthias Ginter has had a very similar couple of seasons himself. Ginter is now the mainstay of a team that he had struggled to break into all of last season and will look to stamp his mark on the game. With two young players looking to leave a mark on the game, this will make for one tasty encounter.
Emre Can vs Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan rejected a chance to move to Liverpool and decided to ply his trade at the Westfalenstadion instead, leaving Liverpool completely frustrated at their transfer fortunes. They would eventually go on to invest in the prodigious ability of a young Emre Can who has since blossomed under Jurgen Klopp into Liverpool’s primal defensive midfield outlet.
Mkhitaryan, after a tough start to his Dortmund career has become an intrinsic part of the Thomas Tuchel setup, dictating play from in behind the striker. The Armenian is crucial to Dortmund’s attacking play and it will fall on the young shoulders of Emre Can to stop the Borussia Dortmund playmaker from giving the Liverpool side any grief.
This is the one individual battle which may dictate the direction in which the game ends up.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Liverpool
Liverpool have done well of late but Borussia Dortmund are the in form team. Jurgen Klopp’s knowledge of his former team may be an advantage but the difference in quality between the two teams is evident and on the night, it may be difficult for Klopp’s men to provide something spectacular. Liverpool will give it a fight but Borussia Dortmund could be too strong.
Betting Odds (Bet365)
Dortmund: 11/20
Draw: 10/3
Liverpool: 11/2
