Five Key Match-ups as Klopp Leads Liverpool to Dortmund

The Europa League returns to action this week and undoubtedly the stand out tie of the quarter-finals sees Liverpool face tournament favourites Dortmund. Though Villarreal will also be among those tipped for glory, many expect the winner of ‘Der Kloppiker’ to go on to lift the trophy.

Indeed, while Jurgen Klopp may rather be back at the Westfalenstadion than North Korea, in his own words, we look at five key battles in a game the Liverpool boss would have been keen to avoid.

Klopp takes on Tuchel

There have been many comparisons drawn between Klopp and his successor at Dortmund, both joining Die Schwarzgelben as young managers following impressive stints at Mainz. When the two meet before tonight’s game you’ll see that they occupy a similar frame, both standing at 6’4” having been centre-backs in their playing days.

Nevertheless, there is a clear contrast in their approach to coaching. Klopp was adored at Dortmund for his high-pressing football, while Tuchel has looked to steer the side into a more patient style of play. Having seemingly been exhausted following their old manager’s rigorous demands, a more methodical gameplan has paid dividends. Dortmund’s possession and passing figures are up markedly in the Bundesliga to 60.3% (from 53.3%) and 83.8% (from 76.7%) respectively under Tuchel. With the Germans also leading the way for possession in this season’s Europa League (62%), expect Klopp’s men to do the running.

Sakho-Lovren - how they cope with Aubameyang

How Liverpool’s maligned centre-back pairing deal with the searing pace and movement of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks likely to be crucial. While most feel both Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho have improved since Klopp’s arrival, the two still very much divide opinions. A case in point was last weekend, with some suggesting Sakho - bar the sort of short, mad spell he remains prone to - was impressive against Spurs and some claiming it was one of the most shambolic defensive displays of the season.

One thing for sure is that neither he nor Lovren can afford to let their concentration slip against a Dortmund side that remain devastating when given the space to attack at speed. With 7 goals in the Europa League to his name - including 3 against Tottenham - to add to 26 goals in the league and cup this season, Aubameyang may well provide the Liverpool centre-back pairing with their truest and toughest test yet.

Click here for Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool match preview, possible XIs and predictions

Midfield battle - Sahin vs Can

There are intriguing match ups across the pitch, not least that in midfield, where Nuri Sahin looks likely to start against his former club after a disappointing and short lived stint on Merseyside. Since becoming a crucial cog in Klopp’s Dortmund engine room the midfielder has seen his progress hampered by injury and should he start on Thursday it would be only his fifth of the season in all competitions. His fitness may be a slight concern as a result, gradually developing into a more reserved and withdrawn role than in his pomp, having had a direct hand in 25 league goals in his final two seasons at Dortmund prior to an ill-fated switch to Real Madrid.

Indeed, Liverpool will hope to have more energy in midfield, with Emre Can likely to be key to that. He, like Sahin, was born in Germany to Turkish parents but unlike the Dortmund man opted to play for the country of his birth rather than his heritage. Should the two line-up against one another, their battle for superiority in the middle ground could be key. Quickly becoming a favourite of Klopp, Can is the only Liverpool outfielder to feature in every Europa League match this season, with only Alberto Moreno securing a higher rating of those to play more than twice in the competition for the Reds (7.23).

Can Coutinho take the Mkhi?

Another decisive duel tonight will be that of the two key creators in either side. Philippe Coutinho was at his majestic best to secure WhoScored.com’s man of the match award against Tottenham at the weekend (8.89) but while he is unplayable at the top of his game, consistency can be an issue. It’s understandable for a player of 23, but while tallies of 8 goals and 5 assists across the league and European competition are commendable, the Brazilian has fired off a massive 115 shots over the two tournaments (7% conversion rate).

On the opposing side is a player that Coutinho should aspire to in terms of reaching his levels of efficiency in the final third. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the Dortmund player that has perhaps best adapted and indeed suited Tuchel’s change in approach. The Armenian has 11 goals and 16 assists to his name in the league and Europa League combined, from 98 shots by comparison (11.2% conversion), while creating 40 more chances than Coutinho over the two tournaments (also 98). However, while the Liverpool man may not always pick the right option when it matters, he does often save his magic for the big occasions, not least to light up the Reds’ last Europa League outing at Old Trafford, so we could be in for a treat.

Jeepers Keepers

If there are ever two players on a pitch that can be best compared it’s the goalkeepers, and neither Roman Weidenfeller or Simon Mignolet tend to fill their fans with great confidence, to say the least. The former is very much understudy to Roman Burki nowadays but afforded Europa League duties, although a rating of just 6.35 - the sixth lowest of 53 goalkeepers to start more than 3 times in the tournament - shows that the 35-year old’s form is very much declining. Indeed, of said keepers only three have a worse save success rate in this season’s Europa League (56.3%).

At the opposite end Mignolet is safe in the knowledge that he is Liverpool’s number one for now, though for how much longer is very uncertain ahead of the summer. Klopp has stood by the Belgian since his arrival and though Mignolet is capable of some top draw reflex saves, his tendency to commit costly errors will be under the spotlight in such a high-profile game. Only two players have made more mistakes leading directly to a goal in the Premier League than the Belgian this season (3), and he’ll need to eradicate any errors from his game to protect Liverpool’s status as the only team left in the tournament - given Sparta Prague lost a Champions League qualifier - to remain unbeaten in European competition this season.

Who do you think will come out on top when Liverpool travel to Dortmund? Let us know in the comments below