Irresistable forward line give Reds near-perfect preparation for Dortmund

Liverpool warmed up for Thursday night's titanic showdown with Borussia Dortmund by demolishing a woeful Stoke City side with a minimum of fuss at Anfield.

What was briefly a tricky afternoon turned into a stroll in the park as Jurgen Klopp celebrated the biggest home triumph of his tenure.

In terms of preparation for the Europa League quarter-final second leg against the Bundesliga high-flyers, it was just about perfect.

All boxes were ticked. No injuries and a plethora of positives for the beaming manager to reflect on.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho put their feet up as a much changed line up ensured that momentum was maintained on the back of that highly impressive 1-1 draw in the Westfalenstadion.

As an attacking force, Liverpool were irresistible as Daniel Sturridge and substitute Divock Origi tormented the Potters' hapless backline.

Having struggled to hit a cow's backside with a banjo before Christmas, Liverpool are now the Premier League's top scorers in 2016. Famine has turned to feast.

Sturridge delivered an emphatic response to being out of the first leg against Dortmund.

There was no chance of him being hauled off early this time. Not in this kind of mood.

Sturridge, who nodded home the Reds' second, broke off the shackles as he delivered a display which oozed class and the Kop showed their appreciation for his efforts.

Whether it's enough to earn him a start on Thursday remains unclear because Origi has already nailed down a spot.

What a week it's been for the young Belgian frontman, who grabbed the precious away goal against Dortmund.

Brought on for the second half against Stoke, Origi simply carried on where he had left off in Germany.

The 20-year-old is enjoying such a purple patch that even his crosses have started finding the net.

Origi oozed confidence as he scored twice and could easily have walked away clutching the matchball. Stoke simply couldn't handle his pace and power. Ryan Shawcross was reduced to shamelessly kicking lumps out of him.

How Klopp must be tempted to go for the jugular and play Origi and Sturridge in tandem against Thomas Tuchel's men.

The strike duo did most of the damage but there were other significant contributions.

Alberto Moreno, who was one of only three outfield players to be retained following the draw with Dortmund, flourished after opening the scoring in style with his first goal for 16 months. The Spaniard had his hands full with Xherdan Shaqiri for company but rose to the challenge.

The tireless James Milner took his tally for the campaign to 10 assists, while fellow midfielder Joe Allen passed his audition for Thursday night with flying colours.

However, captain Jordan Henderson's knee injury has opened the door for Allen to play a telling role during the run-in and he didn't let anyone down.

Repeatedly, he broke up play and put Liverpool on the front foot with his range of passing. When he was substituted late on, the ovation he received was richly deserved.

Emre Can will return from his domestic ban to face Dortmund and he will surely have Allen for company.

Klopp's decision to hand full Premier League debuts to rookies Sheyi Ojo and Kevin Stewart also paid off.

Ojo has so much potential and the 18-year-old winger showcased it when he skipped past Shaqiri to put Liverpool's second goal on a plate for Sturridge.

Stewart's impact was less eye-catching but the manner in which he cruised through 90 minutes in the holding midfield role was impressive, especially considering it was his comeback after ankle ligament damage.

Liverpool got off to a dream start as they took the lead inside eight minutes.

Milner's quick thinking caught Stoke napping as he rolled a free-kick short to Moreno. The full-back took a touch to steady himself and hammered a fierce 20-yarder which arrowed beyond Jakob Haugaard.

It was Moreno's first goal since he netted in the 4-1 win over Swansea City in December 2014.

During the opening quarter of the contest Stoke barely got a kick with Mark Hughes' men way off the pace.

However, they were gifted a foothold in the contest when once again a set-piece proved the Reds' undoing.

It started with Martin Skrtel's clumsy foul on Peter Crouch and ended with Shaqiri whipping in a free-kick which the unmarked Bojan nodded past Mignolet.

Remarkably, it was Stoke's first league goal at Anfield since Paul Bracewell netted back in 1983.

The only subsequent moments of alarm for Liverpool came from the same source as the Potters pumped a succession of long balls towards Crouch, who had a goal disallowed for offside.

That defensive vulnerability didn't cost the Reds because they were such a threat at the other end.

Twelve minutes before the break they were back in front as Ojo delivered for Sturridge to net his eighth of the season.

The second half was a procession as Stoke were put to the sword.

The impact of Origi, who replaced Ojo, was instant as he rose to head home Milner's pin-point cross.

The chances kept on coming. Roberto Firmino twice went close before Origi nodded narrowly wide after Sturridge's backheel had released the rampaging Moreno.
Liverpool hadn't scored four at Anfield all season but they put that right.

Origi burst away from Phil Bardsley down the left and his curling cross eluded the keeper and nestled in the far corner.

The Reds cruised to the finish line. Bring on Dortmund.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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