This is the sort of tie that should adorn the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool face Borussia Dortmund as the latter travel to Anfield with the tie delicately poised from the first leg which Liverpool managed to emerge with an away goal and a draw from.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will look to turn that result around and secure qualification to the next round while Liverpool will look to capitalize on home ground advantage with the intention of dismantling the Borussia Dortmund side which is considered amongst the best in Europe as of now.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten 2
Date and Time: 15th April 2016, 12:35 A.M. IST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Live Streaming: http://www.tensports.com/football
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool are reeling from injury to captain Jordan Henderson which could mean that James Milner slots back into a central position or it may be the revitalized Joe Allen making the move up into the starting 11 as Liverpool might opt for a two pronged attack in Origi and Sturridge after both strikers showed scintillating form at the weekend.
Borussia Dortmund
Thomas Tuchel is without Neven Subotic this time as well but he has the massive plus of now integrating Ilkay Gundogan into the mix as he vies for a starting spot. Gundogan’s presence was missed the last time around and his inclusion this time means Tuchel has a nearly full strength squad to choose from.
Probable Lineups
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Burki; Piszczek, Bender, Hummels, Schmelzer; Weigl, Gundogan; Kagawa, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Aubameyang
Liverpool (4-4-2): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Can; Allen, Milner, Coutinho; Sturridge, Origi
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes form is irrelevant in these ties but Liverpool’s confident is high after a thumping victory against a robust and sufficiently dangerous Stoke City under the managerial ability of Mark Hughes. It provides momentum and confidence at the very least as they prepare to take on one of Europe’s most exciting sides under lights at Anfield.
Last 5 Matches: D-L-D-D-W(Last match: Liverpool 4-1 Stoke City)
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund were in scintillating form right before they faced this Liverpool side at the Westfalenstadion. The German side drew against fierce rivals Schalke after Thomas Tuchel decided to rest players at the weekend for this very tie.
Borussia Dortmund will hope to turn the tide back upright at Anfield as they chase a vital victory to send them through with some momentum on their side as well.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-W-D-D ( Last match: Schalke 04 2-2 Borussia Dortmund)
Key Stats:
- Borussia Dortmund have won four of their five knockout round games in the Europa League this season.
- Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in 17 of their last 19 matches in Europe.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League games.
- An average of under 2.5 goals have been scored in Liverpool’s last six Europa League games.
Key Battles:
Ilkay Gundogan vs Emre Can
Emre Can is as well built as his fellow senior German International. It should hold him in good stead as he will look to shut down, attack and defend against his fellow box to box midfielder when Dortmund come calling at Anfield.
It is no secret that Borussia Dortmund are a different team with Ilkay Gundogan in their starting eleven and Liverpool may come to realize that first hand as Dortmund look to turn the tie to their favour at Anfield.
Young Emre Can has impressed everyone since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool and decided to play the young German in his preferred midfield role. Yet, even a half match sharp Gundogan might be a stellar test of his progress especially if you consider the occasion. It will be worth everyone’s while to see how this little battle opens up.
Daniel Sturridge vs Mats Hummels
In the small cameo that the English striker produced in the first leg, Daniel Sturridge offered a scintillating run which left many Dortmund defenders in knots. While that move came to nothing, there might be more of that to look forward to in this tie.
Daniel Sturridge sent in a stern reminder in the weekend to Jurgen Klopp as to what as to what he is actually capable of as he combined with Divock Origi to devastating effect versus Stoke. Klopp was raving over the Liverpool striker’s performance and did hint that he might start the game alongside Belgian Divock Origi.
Mats Hummels will feel sharper after having gone through a week of training and recovery since shaking off an injury to make it in time for the Europa League tie’s first leg. He will need that extra bit of sharpness to tie down Daniel Sturridge who will in all probability, step out into Anfield with the menace and swerve of a man who has a point to prove.
Prediction
Liverpool and European Nights at Anfield deciding the tie equate to almost little else than Liverpool coming out on top. Even if they defy a mountain of odds to get there, you wouldn’t bet against Liverpool in this game.
Liverpool 1-0 Borussia Dortmund
Betting Odds (via Bet365):
Liverpool – 2/1
Draw – 13/5
Borussia Dortmund – 7/5
