Liverpool Almost Steal Win, Settle for Vital Draw in Germany

Liverpool taking on Borussia Dortmund sounds like something that should be taking place in the Champions League.  Instead it was a quarterfinal leg in the Europa League.  There was a lot of build up to this match, much of it surrounding the fact that Jurgen Klopp was returning to his old post for the first time.

As any coach would say, he was not on the pitch so the focus should not have been on him.  Still, the media never listens to such things.  Regardless of where the focus was before the match, it ended up on the field during the game.

In the first half hour, it was a typical European match with both sides prodding and probing and feeling out the opponent and the official.  Each side got a good chance, but nothing came of it initially.

Dortmund seemed to be taking a hold of the match.  Aubameyang just missed a goal from a free kick around the 30 minute mark.  The shot was a knuckler that ended up deflecting off a leaping Sakho in the wall and sliced just wide of the net.

The German side then picked up the pace and created several more pushes up the field.  They seemed to be pushing the Liverpool defense onto their heels.  The Nigerian international had another strike at goal around the 35th minute, but could not find the back of the net.  That coupled with Sakho spoiling a 2 on 1 with Aubameyang and Reus that could have spelled the end.

Instead, seemingly against the run of play, Liverpool would strike.  In the 36th minute, Divok Origi found a bit of space in the offensive end and made the most of it.  Taking possession in the box, off James Milner's header, he managed to settle the ball and instead of hitting it first time, he took an extra touch to his right, got the shot off which took a little knick off the defender and went inside the left post.

Not only did Liverpool send their traveling fans and the thousands, if not millions, watching around the world into a frenzy they got the important away goal.  Anytime you give yourself that cushion, you've done well.  They still needed to see things out against an extremely talented offensive team, which would not be easy.

The lead almost didn't last through the half.  Dejan Lovren came up with a huge block to deny Aubameyang just outside the six yard area in extra time.  Then Simon Mignolet had to come up with a block of his own, stopping Marco Reus on the doorstep after the defense did not push off the goal line when the initial corner was stopped.

The joy wouldn't last for long into the second half.  Only two minutes and change in, Liverpool gave up a corner.  Dortmund took it short and then sent it in from a better angle.  Liverpool's defense stood and watched as Mats Hummels attacked the ball and banged it in with the header.  Adam Lallana challenged at the end, but he was flat footed and stood no chance.

The Reds seemed undaunted by the goal though.  They immediately attacked.  Their initial foray into the area was dealt with, but moments later they just pounded away at the net.  Chance after chance, two taken by Coutinho were blasted toward net but Roman Weidenfeller was up to the task on three straight occasions with one or two other ones being blocked.  The goal could not be taken, but it was a fantastic response.

In the end, the game settled down and little happened after that mad fury.  Liverpool had a few more pushes up the field and Dortmund had a couple long balls into the box that forced some nervy moments out of the Liverpool keeper, but both teams seemed settled into a 1-1 draw in the end.

It was a fine result for Liverpool, but the win would have been the ultimate.  While Liverpool gave themselves that important away goal, they cannot sit on their laurels in the home match next week.  You simply cannot assume you will get the clean sheet at Anfield, so the away goal rule may not even come into play.

However, on the positive side, if Liverpool can pull a similar performance at home as they did on the road then they will be in a great position to make it to the semifinals.  Dortmund will look to take better advantage of Liverpool's defending, but after one leg Liverpool is in a good spot and that's all you could ask (though we would have loved the win).

Random Thoughts:

- Those that read this regularly know Joe Allen is right up there with Adam Lallana in my book.  I know taking Henderson off was likely due to possible injury or preventing one, but eesh.  Gives me the willies when Allen is on.  Credit where credit is due though, he did almost set up a score for Coutinho.

- The drawback of being a goalkeeper is that you marvel at opposing keepers coming up with saves while cursing them in the same breath.  Weidenfeller was absolutely the only reason Liverpool did not win.

- Like any person that watches this team regularly, the defending gives me pause if not gut problems.  That said, both Sakho and Lovren came up with game saving blocks that could have altered the course of the game if not taken.

- I'm probably the only person that doen't analyze every single lineup.  That said, it will be interesting to see who is on the pitch next Thursday given players getting more healthy vs players who produced in this fixture.

Walk On