Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund, UEFA Europa League 2015-16 - Jurgen Klopp the hero

May 25, 2005. It was not a night to relish for me as I was an AC Milan supporter. I was so confident that Milan would go on to script yet another Champions League glory, but Liverpool is such a side who can make dramatic comebacks from nowhere to make a match a part of football’s folklore. Paolo Maldini gave Milan a first-minute lead and Hernan Crespo's double gave Milan a seemingly unassailable lead. Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool hope and Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell. Jerzy Dudek then saved from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko in the shoot-out to clinch a stunning victory.

I was crestfallen, but with the progression of time, I started to forget that nightmare at Istanbul and last night at Anfield, the Red Devils revived the memories of Istanbul to convey everyone the message, the match is never finished until and unless the final whistle is blown when Liverpool are playing. Jurgen Klopp’s men made a stunning comeback to knock out the favorites, Borussia Dortmund out of the quarterfinals. It was a night of absolute shock and disbelief for Borussia, but at the same time, it was one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of European Club Football.

Dominant Borussia Dortmund

Within ten minutes of the first half, Dortmund flew out of the traps and raced to a two-goal advantage. The match was already indicating of a forgone conclusion. Liverpool’s morale took a setback and they looked a disorganized unit as the Borussia Dortmund attackers kept the Red Devil’s defence at bay. In the 48^th minute, Klopp’s favorite son, Divock Origi scored a goal to lessen the deficit, but when the German magician Marco Reus received a Matts Hummels pass amid the Liverpool defenders to send the ball into the net, it was all over for Liverpool. A hush descended over Anfield at that point, but the drama was not over.

Liverpool started to rediscover their vim

From the 57^th minute the game started to burst into life. Liverpool, inspired by their charismatic coach’s inspiring words, decided to give their everything in the last 33 minutes. It was a daunting task to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but those who tries their level best, the Almighty supports them as well. 

Philippe Coutinho, ignored by Carlos Dunga more often, but favored and loved more by Jurgen Klopp, switched into fourth gear: astonishing intent and superb pace. He made a run from the midfield, passed the ball to Allen, who passed it to Moreno on the left flank and Moreno passed it again to Coutinho who passed to James Milner to create more space. Milner in the whiscker of  a second passed the ball again to Coutinho, who didn’t waste time to take a powerful shot by beating Hummels to make it 3-2 in the 66^th minute. Suddenly Dortmund started to feel the heat. 

Coutinho’s goal enlightened Liverpool’s fighting spirit. They looked hungry for more and continued to press the Dortmund’s defence for goals. Sakho nodded home twelve minutes later in front of Kop to equalize the score, but still a lot of work to be done. Dortmund had the advantage of away goals and if the match ends in a 3-3 draw, Dortmund would advance into the semifinals.

Liverpool didn’t give up.

Klopp brought on Daniel Sturridge instead of Firmino. Sturridge released Milner inside the penalty area and from the byline, having been jeered for his corner taking only moments earlier, the midfielder floated a perfect cross to the far post. Lovren soared above Adrian Ramos at the fag end of the match to make it 4-3.

Jurgen Klopp the hero

I would like to give most of the credit to Klopp for last night’s epic finish. He was at his tactical best last night. According to my elder brother Tanoy Dutta's Facebook post on 16/04/2016, "Klopp prefers to press opposition to their half so that his team can be able to reach the area where there is every possibility to score . Generally, pressure comes from central midfiled while the central  forwards drop themselves to play the deeper role and creating the false impression of a 4-4-2. As a result the central defenders of opposite side become unmarked.

But at Anfield, he made a different ploy. He removed Can, Firmino and Lallena and had brought Sturridge Allan and the experienced Lucas Levia. Philippe Coutinho played the role of a leader on the centre-forward position.

In such circumstances, the role of the centre backs become very important. They must have the ability to initiate the attack and push the ball forward as quickly as possible . Mats Hummels who started his career as a holding midfielder had started to play a deeper role under Klopp in his Dortmund days. But, here, the experienced defender was fooled by his mentor.

As because, the introduction of Lucas and Allan, the two central defenders, Lovren and Sakho were able to push forward and attack. Lucas guarded the midfield and Allan helped to lesser the amount of gaps. . Both Sturridge and Origi were creating enough spaces, playing by little deeper and creating a formation called 4-3-1-2. In the eman time, Coutinho was continuously cutting left to central and had scored a magnificent goal. Two Central defenders Lovren and Sakho did not only forward the ball, but also scored two goals".

Simply brilliant stuff. Klopp’s Gengenpressing was exhibited in the most sublime fashion and I must admit that Tanoy Dutta studied it very well and I did not have to analyze by myself. But, to make Gengenpressing successful, one must have the quality players and luckily, Klopp is blessed with some wonderful talents. 

But, more than skill and stamina, a team or an individual needs enormous amount of self-belief and it was Klopp whose astute man management and motivating abilities have galvanized this unit who are now just three steps from the most unexpected return to the Champions League. It took only six months for Klopp to fix Liverpool and make them play like the never-say-die spirit of the Germans.

Note: The post has been edited a bit to cite Tanoy Dutta's analysis about Klopp's tactical moves.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar