Klopp's Reds re-emerge as a European force

Back at the scene of his greatest triumphs, Jurgen Klopp showcased the remarkable progress he's already made in awakening another sleeping giant.

His players left the Westfalenstadion to thunderous applause from the 3,400-strong travelling Kop. It was richly deserved.

Fears that Liverpool would be exposed by such a sizeable step up in class in their Europa League quarter-final tie proved unfounded.

Instead it was Borussia Dortmund, hot favourites to lift the trophy in Basel in May, who were relieved to escape with their unbeaten run and their dignity intact.

This was a draw which felt like a victory as the Reds grabbed a precious away goal to take back to Merseyside.

It promises to be some occasion at Anfield next Thursday night and Liverpool will go into it knowing they are more than capable of finishing the job off and marching into the last four.

This was a tactical masterclass from Klopp as Liverpool played with a swagger and delivered the most accomplished performance of his tenure.

Klopp made a habit of upsetting the odds during his time at Dortmund, now he's repeating the trick with the Reds.

His game plan was carried out close to perfection as everyone gave everything for the cause. And his bold decision to start Divock Origi ahead of Daniel Sturridge paid off handsomely.

The young Belgian striker rose to the challenge on the biggest night of his blossoming Reds career.

It was Origi fired them in front before the break – a lead which was wiped out early in the second half by Mats Hummels' header.

The only frustration was that Liverpool didn't deliver another telling blow to swing the tie decisively in their direction.

But this wasn't a night for regrets. Instead it was an evening to revel in the Reds' European revival.

Before Klopp arrived last October, this was a European campaign which was going nowhere after two lifeless stalemates with weakened line ups against Bordeaux and FC Sion.

Now Kopites are daring to dream it could end in glory as the Reds chase the golden ticket into the Champions League.

This was the biggest European occasion Liverpool had been part of since the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid six years ago.

There was a buzz round the city all day with the bars of Alter Markt a sea of red with pockets of yellow and black.

Rival fans embraced each other, swapped scarves and joined together to chant the name of the manager Liverpool hope will replicate at Anfield what he achieved in Westphalia.

But after a spine-tingling pre-match rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone there was nothing remotely friendly about the Reds.

They were disciplined and combative as they never allowed Dortmund time and space to operate in. There was also bundles of composure in all departments.

Defensively, they were solid as centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho excelled. They restricted Dortmund to few clear cut chances and when the opportunities arose to counter at pace they did so with menace.

Sakho put his horribly erratic display against Tottenham firmly behind him. Twice in the first half the Frenchman came to the rescue with goal-saving interventions.
After Marcel Schmelzer burst in behind the Reds' backline, Sakho produced a crucial block to thwart Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Liverpool continued to frustrate the hosts and should have led long before Origi made the breakthrough.

Lovren was outstanding once again but he won't need telling that he should have done better when James Milner's free-kick reached him six yards out. It was a free header but he nodded straight at Roman Weidenfeller.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the most coveted strikers in Europe having netted 36 goals this season. However, the Gabon international was kept quiet as Liverpool's tireless work rate restricted the supply line to him.

The prolific striker saw his 25-yard free-kick deflect narrowly wide before he pounced on a rare defensive slip. Marco Reus was waiting in the middle for a tap-in but Sakho made sure it didn't reach him as he extended one of his long limbs to make another vital contribution.

It wasn't only the goal that justified Origi's selection. Picked for his athleticism and willingness to run and run, he didn't disappoint.

Being left out will have hurt Sturridge but he needs to ask himself why it was Origi rather than him who was trusted to do the dirty work.

Origi's pace and his strength troubled Lukasz Piszczek. He held the ball up intelligently and helped ensure Liverpool were never truly pinned back.

Mkhitaryan dragged wide from 18 yards before Aubameyang forced a low save from Mignolet.

Liverpool grew in stature and they struck eight minutes before the break.

Milner picked out the run of Origi with a neat flick on. The ice-cool Belgian held off the attentions of Piszczek and clinically fired into the bottom corner.

It was Origi's sixth goal for Liverpool and his first for the club in Europe.

Klopp didn't hold back – beating his chest in celebration as the travelling Kop to his right went wild.

Predictably, Dortmund hit back with force. Lovren slid in expertly to prevent Aubameyang from equalising and Mignolet made a fine point-blank save from Reus.

Having dealt with that, Liverpool should have doubled their account on the cusp of half-time.

After Milner won the ball back, Philippe Coutinho released Origi, who had timed his run perfectly. However, Weidenfeller dashed out to meet him and Origi couldn't beat them.

Captain Jordan Henderson, who had been limping after hurting his knee, didn't emerge for the second half with Joe Allen replacing him.

Three minutes after the restart Dortmund were level. With all their attacking weapons, it will have irritated Klopp that a set-piece ultimately proved their undoing.

Liverpool were caught napping from a short corner. Mkhitaryan provided the pin-point delivery from the right and Hummels got above Adam Lallana to nod home.

The Yellow Wall urged Dortmund forward in search of greater reward.

But rather than crumble, Klopp's men stood firm. In fact they will be kicking themselves that they didn't clinch a deserved victory.

During a chaotic 60 seconds Coutinho was twice denied by the heroics of Weidenfeller, who also kept out a piledriver from Nathaniel Clyne.

At the other end there were few scares. Mignolet clung on to Reus' free-kick and then beat away Gonzalo Castro's curler.

Klopp sought fresh legs with Roberto Firmino and Sturridge on for the shattered duo of Lallana and Origi. They held out with ease.

“We have the highest mountain to climb but it is possible,” Klopp said in the build up.

Liverpool will fly home on Friday morning with genuine hope that they can reach the summit at Anfield next Thursday night.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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