The pressure was on from the moment the draw was
made with ‘The Normal One’s homecoming to face Borussia Dortmund’s formidable
yellow wall of sound. How would they treat the returning hero…? Like the
champion who dragged them from 13th upon his arrival in 2008 to win five
domestic trophies in seven seasons and a Champions League final in 2013? There
was never a doubt.
The special nature of the game and the bond between
the clubs was seen and felt with both sets of supporters belting out a rousing
joint rendition of YNWA. Pure class, something that can never be bought in
Manchester or West London. The atmosphere was phenomenally electric.
By the way both supporters have come together to
appeal against high ticket prices.
The rumour leading up to the game was bourn out
with announcement of the team. Sturridge on the bench and Origi starting which
pointed at Klopp imposing his pressing game with Divock Origi billed as the
chief protagonist from the front.
Make no mistake this was a difficult task and most
observers expected us to be on the end of the a severe beating with Dortmund
having moved on from the pressure based pressing game under Klopp to more of a
possession orientated game to one of a more clinical nature based around the
attacking talents of Aubameyang, Reus and Mkhitaryan.
That fact that African player of the Aubameyang
year was replaced with almost 25 minutes to go spoke volumes of the way the
players implemented Klopp’s plans to a tee.
While there were standout performers led by Sakho
and Origi justifying his selection with an excellent all-round display, the
defensive cohesion was from attack to defence and reminded one of Atletico
Madrid.
We surrendered the ball willingly, knowing with
Origi’s pace upfront and the incision in behind of Coutinho and Lallana there
in lay the ability to turn defence into attack with quick transitional
play.
Dortmund finding less space than were used to at
home, waited past the quarter hour before breaching the Liverpool defence, only
for a seemingly nailed on goal from ex-Liverpool target Mkhitaryan to be
thwarted at the last from a brilliant last ditch tackle at full stretch by
Sakho.
Almost immediately, Lovren on the end of Milner’s
free-kick headed the ball down in the ground and into the arms of Weidenfeller
when either side of the keeper would’ve done the trick.
While Mkhitaryan looked impressive with the ball at
his feet , buying a yard and committing the defence, the support given by
Henderson, Milner and Can ensured space was at the premium for the erstwhile
lethal Aubameyang.
When the goal finally came it was no surprise that
it came our way even against the run of play. Moreno played a delightful chip
inside to Milner who got up well flicking the ball into the path of Origi, The
striker controlled the ball before powerfully holding off Piszczek and seeing
his shot deflect of the defender and beyond the reach of
Weidenfeller.
As the half came to a close Origi had the chance to
close the game out after being put through by a lovely weighted ball by Moreno,
but could only clip the ball against the chest of the onrushing
keeper.
If the door was slightly ajar on Benteke’s
remaining at Anfield, Origi first-half performance slammed the door firmly shut
on any remnants of career at Liverpool. It was type of performance that manager
and fans alike have been crying out for from the former Villa
striker.
Three minutes into the second half and Dortmund
were level. The corner was worked to Mkhitaryan who produced a fast flat
delivery with purpose into the box to inexplicably find the very impressive Mats
Hammels at the top of his run to power home from close range with Adam Lallana
left alone to defend against the rampaging German.
Given the way we’d defended, the lack of discipline
in not picking up Hummels was disappointing. The finger may well be pointed at
Sakho for giving away the ball way, which led to the corner, but Dortmund had a
lot to do from that point and there no pressure on the cross let alone the
Hummels.
To our credit we stepped up and but for
Weidenfeller could have retaken the lead. The superlative Origi motored down
the left before finding Allen on his inside. The diminutive midfielder flicked
the ball to Lallana who in turn found Coutinho with a back heel. Coutinho’s right foot shot from the centre of the area was
almost past Weidenfeller before the keeper pulled off a miraculous save to palm
the ball away and it didn’t end there as the ball stayed in play.
The recycled ball it found it way to Clyne who
unleashed a long range drive only for Weidenfeller again to push away and in the
same passage of play Coutinho driven shot was parried to safety by the
keeper.
Sixty-three percent possession shows just how much
ball Dortmund had, but where Liverpool delivered was in clear cut chances and as
well as Origi played, he will be disappointed not to have taken his one on one
opportunity before half-time. Just as Lovren will know his header from 6 yards
was a glaring chanced missed.
That said, to come out of game against a quality
side having more than held our own is a huge positive to take back to Anfield
for the second leg.
Man of the Match: Divock Origi –
Led the line manfully, stretching the play with his pace and using his
physicality to provide a problem to the Dortmund backline. Offered himself as
the outlet ball, often control balls and driving into the channels or out wide
waiting for support. He also gave the defence a breather with the incessant
attacks from Dortmund. He deserved his goal having controlled the ball,
committed the defender before shooting home and could have had
another.
He was closely followed Sakho, who time again
intercepted or put his body on the line to block shots as did his centre-back
partner Lovren. It was disappointing that neither got to Hummels in time, but
forgiveable given the lethal nature of Dortmund’s attack around the
box.
It was a masterful coaching display by Klopp who
stymied the much vaunted attaching trio, but also didn’t just leave his team to
defend for 90 minutes. Choosing their moments to counter-attack on another day
could quite easily have come away with the spoils.
The second leg will be a titanic battle with
Liverpool slight favourites because of the away goal. Of interest is whether
Daniel Sturridge starts against Stoke on Sunday or on Thursday or in both
matches?
Whoever starts, let’s hope its one of those famous
Anfield nights.
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