DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, April 6, 2016: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during a training session at Westfalenstadion ahead of the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against Borussia Dortmund. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Firmino in, Sturridge or Origi up front – Predicting Liverpool’s lineup vs. Borussia Dortmund

We take a look at how Jurgen Klopp could line up his Liverpool side for the mouth-watering Europa League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, March 10, 2016: Liverpool's players line up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United at Anfield. Back row L-R: Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Roberto Firmino, Emre Can, Nathaniel Clyne. Front row L-R: Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana, captain Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho Correia, Daniel Sturridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool reconvene their Europa League campaign in Dortmund for the first of what promises to be two special fixtures in this last-eight contest.

Making an emotional reunion with BVB, Klopp will know better than anyone the size of the task his team face over two-legs against Thomas Tuchel’s tournament favourites, who are unbeaten since Christmas.

A big performance is needed in the historic Westfalenstadion to ensure the Reds return home still in the tie, and Klopp has a relatively straightforward selection as he attempts to make sure that an exciting night at Anfield awaits in seven days’ time.

 

The Team News

European Football - UEFA Europa League - Round of 16 2nd Leg - Manchester United FC v Liverpool FC

  • Similarly strong squad to Tottenham draw at Klopp’s disposal
  • Roberto Firmino hopeful of making return from hamstring injury after passing fitness tests
  • Joe Gomez, Danny Ings, Lucas Leiva and Christian Benteke only remaining absentees
  • Jurgen Klopp could name unchanged side to that of Spurs stalemate
  • Usual back four and midfield lineup set to remain the same
  • But potential changes could come in attack
  • Firmino could come straight back in if he comes through training unscathed
  • Divock Origi pushing for start and could offer different striking dimension
  • Five Reds all walking disciplinary tightrope
  • Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, Philippe Coutinho and Firmino will miss 2nd leg if booked

 

The Reds XI vs. BVB

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 6, 2016: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the first goal against Crystal Palace during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Against top-drawer opponents and in the business end of the competition, Liverpool’s strongest possible XI will take to the Westfalenstadion surface.

Klopp could therefore make just one change to his starting team with Firmino fit again, bringing the Brazilian back into the side in place of James Milner, to hand the Reds their best attacking setup.

That solitary alteration would see the Reds line up like this on Thursday night in Germany:

Reds XI Dortmund 1

Though defence and midfield are straightforward selections, the Liverpool boss could alter his attack further as his side search for a vital away goal in Dortmund.

Bringing Firmino in may not be the only change, as Klopp could also start Origi with the Belgian offering energy in pressing and, vitally, raw pace and power to break in behind and on the counter-attack – something that Sturridge currently does not possess.

With Firmino and Origi entering for Milner and Sturridge, those two adjustments could see Liverpool’s XI look like this come 8:05pm kick-off time:

Reds XI Dortmund 2

It promises to be a memorable occasion in Dortmund, but one the Reds must approach with confidence and focus to ensure of a positive result to bring back to Anfield.