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LIverpool (1) vs (1) Dortmund EL QF 2nd Leg

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Mystic

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Seems as it's pretty much all that remains of our season, and has the potential to be the best European night at Anfield in nearly a decade, I think four days is about the right time to start the pre match.

So, obviously we rested a couple of players and tonked Stoke yesterday, but how about Dortmund? I saw someone post a line up and it was devoid of most of last Thursdays team, but did they manage to beat Schalke?
 
Seems as it's pretty much all that remains of our season, and has the potential to be the best European night at Anfield in nearly a decade, I think four days is about the right time to start the pre match.

So, obviously we rested a couple of players and tonked Stoke yesterday, but how about Dortmund? I saw someone post a line up and it was devoid of most of last Thursdays team, but did they manage to beat Schalke?

2-2 their game ended. Matip with a fucking howler for Dortmund's first, and then an own goal to top it off.
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Well, the score is right but that's not exactly how Dortmund scored. 😉

Goals here:
http://www.okgoals.com/match-highlights-1460307969---43

Bender gave Sokratis a earful after the latter gave away the tying penalty.
 
I think I saw that the drew to Schalke. Kagawa scored and I wouldn't be surprised if they find a place for him in the team.

I'm hoping that the resting of both Sakho and Lovren is to ensure they both start the next game fresh, I don't fancy us trying a rusty partnership at the back. Sakho and Lovren have built a pretty decent understanding together. (only decent..)

I think we'll see the below - but there is the usual case for playing Lucas as a DM:

--------------Mignolet-------------
Clyne--Lovren--Sakho--Moreno
---------Milner----Can-----------
Lallana------------------Coutinho
--------------Firmino--------------
----------------Origi----------------

I think this team would be best for our attacking press to ensure we get off on the right foot and try to end the tie early.

EDIT - Can in for Allen in the lineup
 
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Why wouldn't you play Milner though? He was our top player against Dortmund, and was solid again versus Stoke. A bad game against Spurs aside, he's been on very good form in my opinion, and his industry is what we need for this game.

For me, the question is about whether to field Sturridge in tandem with the in-form Origi. They may not have a strong partnership going yet, but there's a lot to like about what each offers and the potential for them to click and take off. I think under Klopp, Sturridge has had to play a lot more of the role that Suarez did for him under Rodgers - dropping deep, linking plays, pressing opponents, etc. Fair enough if that's how Klopp likes his strikers, but Sturridge is such a great scorer and creator in and around the box (and a much better player in those areas than in deep areas) that taking him further from the box just saps his energy and takes him away from where he's most lethal. Origi's pace, strength, stamina, directness and work rate, on the other hand, will be more useful for the team in these deeper zones. I can see how this partnership could work with Origi turning possession wins and retention into feeds for Sturridge (or for Lallana / Coutinho to then supply Sturridge) in the latter's favoured danger zones.

I'm tempted to want Klopp to start with the following front six, with Origi swapping positions with Coutinho and Lallana during the course of the game depending on matchups that occur. Firmino can then come in with fresh legs for the second half and still keep the pressure up.

----------- Can -------- Milner ---------
Lallana -------- Origi ------- Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge ----------------
 
Was the Milner comment aimed at me?

My point re: Lucas would probably see one of the front four removed for him to start, I think Milner is a definite starter.

EDIT: I for some reason also thought Can was suspended for this game so I would play him instead of Allen in my line up.
 
2-2 their game ended. Matip with a fucking howler for Dortmund's first, and then an own goal to top it off.
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:
:
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Well, the score is right but that's not exactly how Dortmund scored. 😉

Goals here:
http://www.okgoals.com/match-highlights-1460307969---43

Bender gave Sokratis a earful after the latter gave away the tying penalty.

I wouldnt call that a howler in all honesty. Kagawa was quite fortunate that the ball bounced that way. Matip was very good in that game and won nearly everything in the air.

Leroy Sane impressed aswell.
 
I'd start:

Ming
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Allen Can Milner
Firmino Coutinho
Sturridge
 
Was the Milner comment aimed at me?

My point re: Lucas would probably see one of the front four removed for him to start, I think Milner is a definite starter.

EDIT: I for some reason also thought Can was suspended for this game so I would play him instead of Allen in my line up.

Think I read wrongly the first time round; ignore my Milner question / point.
 
I'd be amazed if they didn't score, so we need two or more. Could be a thriller! Time for these players to finally step up and not shit out, I reckon.
 
Seems as it's pretty much all that remains of our season, and has the potential to be the best European night at Anfield in nearly a decade, I think four days is about the right time to start the pre match.

So, obviously we rested a couple of players and tonked Stoke yesterday, but how about Dortmund? I saw someone post a line up and it was devoid of most of last Thursdays team, but did they manage to beat Schalke?
Well wasn't quite devoid of last Thuesday's team. 6 actually and then many thought Kagawa should have started against us anyway. And they rotate keepers don't they ?
 
I'd start:

Ming
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Allen Can Milner
Firmino Coutinho
Sturridge
Yes I would too.

However against Stoke I think Klopp was trying out Origi and Studge together - and it looked good. Studge greatly improved and able to drop deeper as is his preference because Origi could be the focal point. I thought Studge had an excellent game and should be undroppable.
He may bring on Origi for Firmino later on or even start him alongside Coutinho and Studge.
 
A genuine choice for selection for once, excellent news

Mignolet
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Milner Allen Can Coutinho
Sturridge Origi

Lallana and Firmino to come on
 
The Stoke game certainly opened up an interesting question about playing two up front. Doing so with any regularity would be a new departure for Klopp, and playing "good old" 4-4-2 in Europe might not necessarily work, but might it still be worth considering in the light of Studge's and Origi's apparent effectiveness as a combo?
 
If we're going to play the 4231 that's served us so well, I think we need to use Milner as one of the three, he's great at covering ground as well as providing a decent threat going forwards, and if we were to have three more attack minded players in those positions, I'd worry their wouldn't be enough support for the two in midfield.
 
2-2 their game ended. Matip with a fucking howler for Dortmund's first, and then an own goal to top it off.
:
:
:
:
:
Well, the score is right but that's not exactly how Dortmund scored. 😉

Goals here:
http://www.okgoals.com/match-highlights-1460307969---43

Bender gave Sokratis a earful after the latter gave away the tying penalty.

I was confused by the "howler" comment too, until I re-read it and realized @hamstrung_pigeon was trying to joke 🙂 Matip was good, actually.
 
For me, the question is about whether to field Sturridge in tandem with the in-form Origi. They may not have a strong partnership going yet, but there's a lot to like about what each offers and the potential for them to click and take off. I think under Klopp, Sturridge has had to play a lot more of the role that Suarez did for him under Rodgers - dropping deep, linking plays, pressing opponents, etc. Fair enough if that's how Klopp likes his strikers, but Sturridge is such a great scorer and creator in and around the box (and a much better player in those areas than in deep areas) that taking him further from the box just saps his energy and takes him away from where he's most lethal. Origi's pace, strength, stamina, directness and work rate, on the other hand, will be more useful for the team in these deeper zones. I can see how this partnership could work with Origi turning possession wins and retention into feeds for Sturridge (or for Lallana / Coutinho to then supply Sturridge) in the latter's favoured danger zones.

I'm tempted to want Klopp to start with the following front six, with Origi swapping positions with Coutinho and Lallana during the course of the game depending on matchups that occur. Firmino can then come in with fresh legs for the second half and still keep the pressure up.

----------- Can -------- Milner ---------
Lallana -------- Origi ------- Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge ----------------

I don't think it was Klopp who changed his game – Sturridge has always had a tendency to drop deep; some strikers just can't stay up top no matter what the manager tells them. Anelka was somebody with a similar tendency that comes to mind.

Generally a striker who plays up front has to be able to "lead the line": hold the ball under pressure with his back to the goal, win free-kicks, challenge for headers etc. Sturridge is not really that type of striker; Origi is. It's like the Walcott vs Giroud debate at Arsenal – Walcott has been pushing hard to play as a #9, but Arsene almost always prefers Giroud's qualities up top. So when Origi and Sturridge play together of course Origi should be up top and Sturridge in behind. Which means Sturridge and Firmino become direct competition for the #10 role. Sturridge seems the one currently in better form, judging by yesterday's game, so my team for Dortmund would be:

(4-2-3-1)
-----------------Mignolet----------------
Clyne---Lovren---Sakho---Moreno
------------Milner----Can---------------
Lallana-----Sturridge------Coutinho
-----------------Origi---------------------
 
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I don't think it was Klopp who changed his game – Sturridge has always had a tendency to drop deep; some strikers just can't stay up top no matter what the manager tells them. Anelka was somebody with a similar tendency that comes to mind.

Generally a striker who plays up front has to be able to "lead the line": hold the ball under pressure with his back to the goal, win free-kicks, challenge for headers etc. Sturridge is not really that type of striker; Origi is. It's like the Walcott vs Giroud debate at Arsenal – Walcott has been pushing hard to play as a #9, but Arsene almost always prefers Giroud's qualities up top. So when Origi and Sturridge play together of course Origi should be up top and Sturridge in behind. Which means Sturridge and Firmino become direct competition for the #10 role. Sturridge seems the one currently in better form, judging by yesterday's game, so my team for Dortmund would be:

(4-2-3-1)
-----------------Mignolet----------------
Clyne---Lovren---Sakho---Moreno
------------Milner----Can---------------
Lallana-----Sturridge------Coutinho
-----------------Origi---------------------
Whilst i like that team I don't want us to go Gung-ho vs. Dortmund. There's no need to from the start, we can always switch to that if we Dortmund lead or we need to win. So I'd prefer to start with 3 in midfield and with forwards that track back. So 4-3-3 and Allen as that 3rd midfielder. I also mentioned eralier in the thread that Klopp seemed to be giving Origi/Studge a run-out. If he likes what he saw then I can see Studge-Origi-Coutinho across the front.
 
-------------Mignolet---------

Clyne----Lovren------Sakho------Moreno

Milner--------Can

Lallana------Firmino--------Coutinho

---------------Sturridge---------------

Few options for Klopp. He could pair Sturridge and Origi, perhaps at the expense of Lallana or Firmino, and there's also Allen as another option to make a midfield three.

Milner-------Allen-------Can

--------------Coutinho-------

-------Origi------------Sturridge

Or even Origi playing slightly wider, as he runs the channels naturally anyway.
 
Gotta say, Origi in this form and confidence has to play.

I think Dortmund defenders would fear him more than surridge with his physical edge !

Ideally you'd get them playing together, think that could work very well!
 
Milner-------Allen-------Can

--------------Coutinho-------

-------Origi------------Sturridge

I think this formation could work but almost as a 442, with Coutinho cutting in from the left attacking the central space, whilst Milner uses his endless energy to be a presence down the right but able to tuck in when need be to make the numbers up in midfield. Then up top we'd have Origi leading the line playing hold up, creating the space to allow Sturridge to have the freedom to be himself and play as one of Brendans infamous "9 and a halfs". Facetious comment aside, I think that's an evolution of what Klopp was trying second half on Sunday, and it has some serious potential.
 
I think this formation could work but almost as a 442, with Coutinho cutting in from the left attacking the central space, whilst Milner uses his endless energy to be a presence down the right but able to tuck in when need be to make the numbers up in midfield. Then up top we'd have Origi leading the line playing hold up, creating the space to allow Sturridge to have the freedom to be himself and play as one of Brendans infamous "9 and a halfs". Facetious comment aside, I think that's an evolution of what Klopp was trying second half on Sunday, and it has some serious potential.

Yeah, but I still feel a bit weird leaving out 55m worth of players in Firmino and Lallana, and I'd always be more inclined to have Coutinho plus one other attacking/ creative threat in the side, because while I can see the potential quality of that line-up, it still feels a bit light on the "something out of nothing" type of player.
 
I'd start with Origi and bring Sturridge on around 60 minutes. Dortmund were average against us, partly because of us, but partly because of them too. If they turn up at Anfield I think we could regret having two strikers on the pitch from the beginning. I don't think our tactics should differ much from the away leg. We should have won that match. I see little reason to start fiddling with it to accommodate Daniel Sturridge.
 
Yes Can is available. He wasn't any of the 5 who were under threat of suspension (Coutinho, Firmino, Clyne, Moreno, Lovren).

So Moreno was under the threat of suspension and still made that silly tackle on their end line? FFS. Birdbrain!!
 
Yeah, but I still feel a bit weird leaving out 55m worth of players in Firmino and Lallana, and I'd always be more inclined to have Coutinho plus one other attacking/ creative threat in the side, because while I can see the potential quality of that line-up, it still feels a bit light on the "something out of nothing" type of player.

If we bring Lallana in we'll have the "nothing out of something" sorted.

I'd start Firmino and bring Origi on for the last 30.
 
I'm starting to think its better to start Origi and have Firmino on the bench.
He didnt look match fit and Origi is flying at the moment.

Ming
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Can Allen
Milner Coutinho Origi
Sturridge
 
Dortmund have been training at Marine.

@TonyBarretTimes: Borussia Dortmund are preparing for tonight's game against Liverpool by training at non-league Marine FC in Crosby.
 
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