Jurgen Klopp has named a well-rounded starting lineup for his return to Borussia Dortmund, as he plots victory in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Divock Origi has been named in Klopp’s starting lineup at the expense of Daniel Sturridge, who has been in relatively muted form leading the line in recent weeks.
Sturridge joins returning forward Roberto Firmino on the substitutes’ bench, as Klopp names a hardworking attacking unit in what is likely to form his typical 4-2-3-1 system.
Behind Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and James Milner keep their places from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
They will be supported by a two-man midfield of Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, with Can focussed on the Europa League as he prepares to sit out Liverpool’s next two Premier League outings through suspension.
In defence, calls to replace Mamadou Sakho after a hit-and-miss display against Spurs have fallen on deaf ears, with the Frenchman joining Dejan Lovren at centre-back.
Flanking this central pairing are regular full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno, who face a major challenge in quelling the threat of Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who have scored 39 goals between them this season for Dortmund.
Simon Mignolet keeps his place in goal, with Danny Ward continuing his role as Klopp’s backup ‘keeper.
Joining Ward, Firmino and Sturridge on the substitutes’ bench are Kolo Toure, Brad Smith, Joe Allen and Jordon Ibe.
This Westfalenstadion clash gives Liverpool a great opportunity to gain an advantage before returning to Anfield next week for a decisive second leg.
Grabbing an away goal in Dortmund would be a major positive for the Reds, and therefore Klopp’s decision to replace Sturridge with Origi is a bold one.
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Bender, Hummels, Schmelzer; Castro, Weigl; Durm, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Aubameyang
Substitutes: Burki, Sahin, Ginter, Leitner, Pulisic, Sokratis, Kagawa
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Milner, Lallana, Coutinho; Origi
Substitutes: Ward, Toure, Smith, Allen, Ibe, Firmino, Sturridge
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