Jurgen Klopp takes Liverpool to his former club Borussia Dortmund on Thursday evening in what is set to be a truly special Europa League tie. Kopites assumed the clash with Manchester United would be the most exciting bar an appearance in the final but all that changed when the black and yellows were pulled out of the hat.
***UPDATE*** - The Liverpool Echo are reporting that Roberto Firmino may in fact be available for Thursday's game.
Dortmund on the other hand are looking relatively strong but midfielder Gundogan is set to be unavailable to play at the Westfalenstadion but could be ready for the clash at Anfield.
The most recent meetings between the sides occurred in the group stages of the Champions League in 2001. The first game in Germany ended 0-0 but the return leg at Anfield was far better for Liverpool with Smicer and Wright scoring to gift the Reds a 2-0 victory.
In terms of the football...
Liverpool are the underdogs in the first of these two quarter final fixtures, the Reds are currently priced at 5/1 to win the match. You can also get odds of 11/1 for a draw in the first half and Liverpool to go on to win the game.
In terms of scoreline I quite fancy a score draw myself as we're not prepared enough in defence but I still feel we could score a couple if we start with that famous Jurgen Klopp pressure and tempo. 2-2 is currently 14/1.
For first goalscorers, Daniel Sturridge is priced at 9/1, Coutinho at 12/1 and Lallana at 16/1,
Enjoy the match folks, wherever you are watching!
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| Image via mirror.co.uk: Borussia Dortmund fans show their support for Jurgen Klopp |
Injuries
Injurires for Liverpool mean they are unable to call upon Christian Benteke and Lucas Leiva, it also looks as though the game has come too soon for the influential Roberto Firmino who is still on the recovery path.***UPDATE*** - The Liverpool Echo are reporting that Roberto Firmino may in fact be available for Thursday's game.
Dortmund on the other hand are looking relatively strong but midfielder Gundogan is set to be unavailable to play at the Westfalenstadion but could be ready for the clash at Anfield.
Previous Meetings
The two clubs have met on a total of three occasions in history. The first meeting back in 1966 in the European Cup Winners Cup ended in defeat for Liverpool as Dortmund won 2-1 after extra time. Roger Hunt was on the scoresheet that day, he would go on to win the World Cup with England in the following summer.The most recent meetings between the sides occurred in the group stages of the Champions League in 2001. The first game in Germany ended 0-0 but the return leg at Anfield was far better for Liverpool with Smicer and Wright scoring to gift the Reds a 2-0 victory.
Form
In the league, Liverpool are currently 9th and have won three out of their last five but were held to a draw at Anfield last weekend thanks to a Harry Kane equaliser for Spurs. Dortmund have won four out of their last five fixtures in the Bundesliga and are currently in 2nd just five points behind Bayern Munich.Betting
As you probably know it's the Grand National on Saturday so away from the footy don't forget to click the advert below and spend £10 on one of your flutters then get a massive £30 back!In terms of the football...
Liverpool are the underdogs in the first of these two quarter final fixtures, the Reds are currently priced at 5/1 to win the match. You can also get odds of 11/1 for a draw in the first half and Liverpool to go on to win the game.
In terms of scoreline I quite fancy a score draw myself as we're not prepared enough in defence but I still feel we could score a couple if we start with that famous Jurgen Klopp pressure and tempo. 2-2 is currently 14/1.
For first goalscorers, Daniel Sturridge is priced at 9/1, Coutinho at 12/1 and Lallana at 16/1,
Enjoy the match folks, wherever you are watching!