14 Apr 2016

Confirmed Liverpool Team: Klopp dumps 'excellent' £20m star; attacker returns; big surprise on the bench

As expected, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dumped Daniel Sturridge for tonight's Europa League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Origi.

SUBS: Ward, Sturridge, Lucas, Allen, Skrtel, Smith, Ojo.

DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer, Weigl, Castro, Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Reus, Aubameyang

* Origi is in good form right now, so it makes sense to build on his momentum, but Sturridge is still (IMO) the better option.

* Over the last year, everyone connected with LFC has endlessly bemoaned Sturridge's injury absences, and when he's finally fit, he's left on the bench for the biggest games of the season? Sorry, but it doesn't make sense to me.

* As I argued earlier in the week: Sturridge has a history of prolific goalscoring/creating for Liverpool; Origi's form is the exception, not the rule. Sometimes, decisions like this work (first-leg), but often, they don't, and tonight may be one of those times.

* Can and Lallana return to the starting line-up, but despite his continued 'excellent' performances, Joe Allen^ is left on the bench yet again.

* Firmino also returns to action, and it'll be interesting to see where he plays. The Brazilian's best position (for Liverpool) is up-front, but is Klopp going to waste Firmino out wide just to accommodate Origi?

* Nice to see Ojo on the bench after his weekend assist against Stoke City.

It's worth remembering a couple of things: Liverpool didn't beat Dortmund in the first leg, and the Reds have achieved only ONE victory in the last five games. Home advantage is a big thing, but the result is by no means a foregone conclusion.

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^ Allen: £20m-rated

Author: Jaimie K


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