Borussia Dortmund 1 Liverpool1 (Apr 7 2016)

[tlw content]

That was a hell of a performance. Dortmund are arguably one of the top five teams in the whole of Europe and are rightly favourites to win the Europa League, but we went there and more than held our own against them. They had most of the possession, we had most of the chances. Klopp’s inside knowledge obviously helped, but the players still needed to carry out his instructions and they did that brilliantly.
 
We could, perhaps even should, have won, but let’s not get too greedy. We have to be pleased with the draw and even more pleased with the manner in which it was achieved. It never really felt like we were in any trouble and the longer it went the more frustrated it seemed like Dortmund were getting. This was our best European performance since Rafa’s heyday. It wasn’t perfect, but it was surely better than any of us were expecting.
 
The defensive shape was excellent as tactically Klopp got it absolutely spot on. The only time we looked vulnerable was when we lost possession cheaply and were caught on the back foot, and even then we usually recovered with a saving tackle or block. Sakho and Lovren picked up where they left off in the last round at Old Trafford and were both outstanding. One block from Sakho in the first half was fantastic and saved a certain goal, while Lovren wasn’t to be outdone and produced one of his own to deny Aubameyang.
 
Those were rare, fleeting moments of danger though and generally we held Dortmund comfortably at arms length in the first half, and (sloppy goal aside) perhaps even more so in the second. Not only that, but we created the better chances, one of which was taken by the outstanding Origi.


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[Paul]

On Milner, that "grit and intelligence" you mention is on show almost all the time for us and is the reason why I don't understand the routine slatings he takes off so many. He does suffer from being a yard slower on the pitch than he is in his head which often leaves him either stretching or fouling, but I'll take that for the rest of the package - and especially his work rate.

 

For me, he's a Dirk Kuyt with fewer goals but better use of the ball; a very important cog in the machine who does the donkey work others can profit from. I'm not sure where he'll play as we add more class next season, but play he definitely will, in my view - and especially in the bigger, tougher matches.

[Marcas]

Great article Dave. Agree on the Sturridge decision - chances are he would have contributed the square root of fuck all. Special mention to the Dortmund fans, a class act. Could you get a bigger contrast between them and those tramps from Manchester??

[Whelan5]

Kevin Stewert not out for the season? if not I agree and I'd be starting him v stoke.

[Trumo]

Apparently UEFA have charged LFC for their fans letting off flares after we scored. They're also charging Dortmund for stairways being blocked. While I get that spectator safety is important, it often looks like the UEFA deligates have never been to a football match and are the sort who would be frightened of their own shadow.

[Tony Moanero]

That was a hell of a performance. Dortmund are arguably one of the top five teams in the whole of Europe and are rightly favourites to win the Europa League, but we went there and more than held our own against them. They had most of the possession, we had most of the chances. Klopp’s inside knowledge obviously helped, but the players still needed to carry out his instructions and they did that brilliantly.

 

We could, perhaps even should, have won, but let’s not get too greedy. We have to be pleased with the draw and even more pleased with the manner in which it was achieved. It never really felt like we were in any trouble and the longer it went the more frustrated it seemed like Dortmund were getting. This was our best European performance since Rafa’s heyday. It wasn’t perfect, but it was surely better than any of us were expecting.

 

The defensive shape was excellent as tactically Klopp got it absolutely spot on. The only time we looked vulnerable was when we lost possession cheaply and were caught on the back foot, and even then we usually recovered with a saving tackle or block. Sakho and Lovren picked up where they left off in the last round at Old Trafford and were both outstanding. One block from Sakho in the first half was fantastic and saved a certain goal, while Lovren wasn’t to be outdone and produced one of his own to deny Aubameyang.

 

Those were rare, fleeting moments of danger though and generally we held Dortmund comfortably at arms length in the first half, and (sloppy goal aside) perhaps even more so in the second. Not only that, but we created the better chances, one of which was taken by the outstanding Origi.

 

 

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Please note that Match Reports are only available to website subscribers. Subscriptions cost just £2 a month (you need to register first) and can be purchased here. If you are not currently registered on the site, sign up for free and receive a one month FREE no obligation trial subscription, which gives you access to all the members only content for one month.

Load of shite.

[moof]

Load of shite.

Is this shit supposed to be funny?

[Captain]

Is this shit supposed to be funny?

 

Apparently.

[Iceman]

Tony's jumped the Blue Riband, the cunt. 

[Bad Red Bull]

That guy adds nothing to the forum

[razor]

Hell, he was even doing dragbacks and “Lallana turns” in his own box!

 

Actually, it is interesting you mention this, Dave, because it was in the Westfalenstadion in 1974 that Johan Cruyff first executed the Lallana turn.

[moof]

That guy adds nothing to the forum

You're talking about Dave U, right?

[Red Sun Rising]

Is this shit supposed to be funny?

he thinks so, even pays for the opportunity

[aRdja]

.

[Stu Monty]

That guy adds nothing to the forum

 

He pays for its upkeep and you don't, so.....

[niallers]

 

Bürki, Bender, Leitner, Hummels, Sahin, Ramos, Pulisic, Kagawa, Sokratis, Ginter, Durm

 

On the bench:

 

Weidenfeller, Gündogan, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang, Piszczek, Castro

 

This is their starting 11 and bench for their derby with shalke and apparently they don't like each other one bit, so to leave their better attackers on the bench, with them being second in the league also,means they are taking Thursday night very very seriously.

[Lee909]

Is Can suspended for the 2nd leg?

If so going to be a issue with the midfield. No Henderson or Can leaves Allen,Milner and Lucas for as long as he can manage.

[niallers]

We've no one suspended but at least 6 on a yellow going into the game. All cards are wiped after quarter finals but suspensions are carried over so all those 6 will be suspended for the semi should they get booked!

[Lee909]

Ok

I read somewhere he was suspended i assumed it was this game

[Bad Red Bull]

He pays for its upkeep and you don't, so.....

was a member. Bought that awfully named package called Stu Monty package.

[Pureblood]

Stu's package is top value. 

[Josef Svejk]

Bürki, Bender, Leitner, Hummels, Sahin, Ramos, Pulisic, Kagawa, Sokratis, Ginter, Durm

 

On the bench:

 

Weidenfeller, Gündogan, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang, Piszczek, Castro

 

This is their starting 11 and bench for their derby with shalke and apparently they don't like each other one bit, so to leave their better attackers on the bench, with them being second in the league also,means they are taking Thursday night very very seriously.

 

I just posted something similar in another thread. Thursday is going to be a huge game...