A week on from the 1-1 draw in Germany, Borussia Dortmund will make the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
After an impressive display at the Westfalenstadion, the Merseysiders will be looking to continue proving the doubters wrong by ultimately knocking the continental giants out of Europe. As for the BVB, they will be looking to show why they are one of the most feared sides in world football.
Despite resting many star names Liverpool were very impressive on the weekend, coming away 4-1 winners at home to Stoke. To show just how serious Borussia Dortmund are taking this competition, they also rested many stars during the weekend’s derby clash with Schalke, which resulted in a 2-2 draw.
There seems to be more on the line in this game for the Reds. In what has been a very inconsistent Premier League season, they now sit eighth and have no possible domestic way of qualifying for the Champions League. But, with Jurgen Klopp’s side showing enough in the first leg of the quarter-final, the possibility of qualifying by the Europa League is not out of the question. It ultimately is their only way into the showcase European tournament next season.
As for Thomas Tuchel’s squad, Champions League qualification is all but secured due to their consistent and stunning Bundesliga form. The Europa League is very much silverware focused for the yellow and black outfit, wanting to give their loyal fanbase a trophy to celebrate about this season.
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Key Battle – Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Like the first leg, it is all about keeping Borussia Dortmund’s main man quiet. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s form this season has been superb and Liverpool’s two central-defenders will need to keep him as isolated as possible.
Both Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren were superb in Germany and marked several players, but it was clear how much of a difference the BVB’s No.17 makes.
If Liverpool are to progress, then ultimately the central pairing of Sakho and Lovren have to be at the top of their games.
Team News
Liverpool will be without captain Jordan Henderson for the second leg, having suffered a season-ending knee injury at the Signal Iduna Park last week.
It is tipped that Joe Allen will replace his spot in midfield. The Welshman was impressive during Liverpool’s 4-1 win against Stoke and Klopp mentioned he “only took him off because we need him.”
Daniel Sturridge made a fair claim on the weekend to make a return to the side, and with Divock Origi in good form a potential partnership could overwhelm Borussia Dortmund. But, due to Sturridge’s constant injuries and with playing a full 90 minutes against Stoke, it would be a surprise to see him in the lineup.
Liverpool expected XI: Mignolet, Lovren, Sakho, Clyne, Moreno, Allen, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Origi.
As for the visitors, they will more than likely stay unchanged from the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park. That side has served them well all season and expect a more threatening performance from the Germans this time around. The three of Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang will certainly be out to cause problems for Liverpool’s back four.
Borussia Dortmund expected XI: Weidenfeller, Hummels, Bender, Schmelzer, Piszczek, Castro, Weigl, Durm, Reus, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang.
Head-To-Head
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund have played each other three times now in competitive fixtures.
Stephen Wright and Vladimir Smicer gave the Reds a Champions League victory at Anfield back in 2001, while the second leg finished 0-0 in Dortmund.
The third fixture was played just last week.
Previous Meeting
With the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final on the horizon for these two famous clubs, the BVB welcomed Liverpool to the Signal Iduna Park to begin the tie. It was Jurgen Klopp’s first return to the place where he left such a legacy, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles and taking them to the Champions League Final. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung by both sets of supporters at an incredible level and the game itself was just as good. Origi put Liverpool ahead in the first-half to claim a precious away goal, but shortly after the break, Mats Hummels equalised from a set piece.
Prediction
It will no doubt be a heated and fiery contest and with either side having a fantastic chance of progressing, it is certainly not easy to call. Liverpool were superb in the first leg, but can they back that up again? And will Borussia Dortmund find another level at Anfield? The Reds will have the 12th men in the Kop, and that might be enough for them to edge it. The Merseysiders certainly are not the better squad on paper, but when you look back at all those famous European nights at Anfield, the supporters ultimately dragged them across and the line and that could very well happen again.
Liverpool 2 Borussia Dortmund 1 (Aggregate: Liverpool 3 Borussia Dortmund 2)
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