If you’re a Liverpool fan who is feeling nervous regarding your side’s chances on the trip to Signal Iduna Park on Thursday, don’t worry as you are not alone in this regard. In fact, when a team gets drawn against a side like Borussia Dortmund that has outscored Bayern Munich in terms of goals, any football fan would be overwhelmed.
However, if football was so simple as black and white, Leicester wouldn’t be top of the Premier League and Chelsea would have been fighting for the title.
Thus, boosting the hopes of the Liverpool faithful, here are 4 reasons for every Liverpool fan to be optimistic about Borussia Dortmund tie …
4Liverpool have performed brilliantly against top sides since the appointment of Klopp
Ever since Klopp has taken over from Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool have been involved in 5 games against last Season’s top 4. The Reds have won 3 out of them, with a close 1-0 defeat against Manchester United blotting their record.
The Reds scored 13 goals in those 5 games, conceding 6 in the process. Thus, if anything can be concurred from these stats, it is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has fared tremendously against the status quo of the Premier League.
3Fine form of Philippe Coutinho
Although Liverpool weren’t at their offensive best against Tottenham on Saturday – with Sturridge wasting golden opportunities and Firmino still out, it was another fine performance from the little Brazilian that nearly won Liverpool that game.
Coutinho has scored 4 goals in his last 6 games for The Reds and there is no reason why he couldn’t emulate his recent form against a Dortmund side that always play on the front foot.
2Return of Roberto Firmino from injury
While his goal tally might not suggest that – Firmino has managed a humble 9 goals in all competitions this season, it is the recent form of the Firmino that should instill doubt in the hearts of Borussia Dortmund defenders. In the last 10 matches in which Firmino has featured for Liverpool, the Reds have lost none, winning 6 and drawing the other four in the process.
Also, with Firmino coming back from his injury, The Reds can take full advantage of the golden form that Firmino displayed before his injury. This is the same front three that humiliated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, dismantled Manchester City at the Etihad before giving them a similar treatment at Anfield in February.
Thus, with the front three likely colluding once again after a 2 match break – which was caused by the injury to Firmino, Liverpool fans have the right to expect a lot of fireworks from their boys on Thursday.
1Dortmund might become complacent in Europa League
For a team that has already qualified for next Season’s Champions League and is competing for Bundesliga this Season, you would be forgiven to think that Dortmund might become complacent in this fixture. Courtesy of their dramatic 3-2 victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend, Dortmund have ensured their qualification for next Season’s Champions League.
Thus, with next season’s Champions League qualification already in the bag, the Signal Iduna Park residents might put their foot off the accelerator in the coming stages of Europa League.
