Jurgen Klopp Produces Tactical Masterclass on His Borussia Dortmund Return

WESTFALENSTADION, Dortmund — Liverpool produced a solid team display to earn a creditable 1-1 draw against UEFA Europa League favourites Borussia Dortmund.

Jurgen Klopp's return to his former side saw the German produce a tactical masterclass, quelling one of Europe's most dangerous attacks to see his new side leave with the advantage in the two-leg tie.

It was the inclusion of Liverpool's goalscorer, Divock Origi, which was one of the game's major talking points—with Klopp opting for the young Belgian over Daniel Sturridge.

Origi's inclusion was one that had been predicted in the 24 hours leading up to the game, but it came as a surprise nonetheless, with England international Sturridge forced to watch on from the sidelines. 

Klopp has shown faith in Origi since his arrival as manager six months ago, with the 20-year-old starting Klopp's first game as manager away to Tottenham Hotspur. After that game, Klopp explained that he had tried to sign Origi for Dortmund. 

Since then, the Belgian has been provided opportunities as Liverpool's main striker—but none as big as this one was. It was a brave decision by Klopp, but one which Origi's performance on the night fully vindicated.

Profiting from recent strength work, Origi showed all his qualities to lead the line expertly. Strong, fast and composed, it was a performance that belied his years. It was also a performance you'd expect of Robert Lewandowski under Klopp's time at Dortmund—outmuscling defenders and able to hold up play, something that Sturridge is not as effective at.

Explaining why he started Origi, Klopp said post-match:  "Divock was made for this game with the space he can make and how he can hold the ball."

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Klopp showed tactical acumen that Liverpool had lacked on the European stage under Brendan Rodgers' reign, with the manager also tweaking his system to deploy James Milner in a more central role.

Milner, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can formed a midfield three, with Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho in the wide areas.

Dortmund struggled to break a solid Liverpool team down, and when they did they found the centre-back pairing of Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren on top form. Both defenders producing excellent blocks to protect Simon Mignolet's goal and deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus.

Liverpool's defence has been far from reliable in recent years, but Sakho and Lovren rose to the challenge, with Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno offering good support from full-back.

That Liverpool kept out the attacking trio of Aubameyang, Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan—who have scored 60 goals between them in all competitions this season, should be lauded.

The Reds did concede, of course, with Mats Hummels left unmarked from a corner three minutes into the second half. That goal could have seen Liverpool crumble and succumb to Dortmund and their Yellow Wall, but instead it was the away side who went on the offensive and almost regained the lead within minutes of Hummels' equaliser.

Half-time had seen Joe Allen replace Henderson, who looked well off the pace and suffered a knee injury. Allen had an excellent 45 minutes, with him, Can and Milner rotating who of the three pressed and which two sat in front of Lovren and Sakho. It was hugely effective and clearly very well drilled.

That Dortmund's goal arrived from a set piece means Liverpool's last three goals conceded in the Europa League have been conceded in this way. Fortunately for the Reds, Dortmund didn't look to profit from this too much. Something worth keeping an eye on in the return leg next week is whether Thomas Tuchel instructs his side to exploit this aerial weakness more where possible.

Klopp

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For Klopp, it was an almost-perfect night, achieving a result he would have certainly taken had it been offered to him pre-match, and his big decisions paid dividends.

The German received a warm-up applause from the home supporters as he entered the pitch, and also as he left after full-time, but he was as animated as ever on the touchline and celebrated Origi's goal—just as he had said he would do beforehand.

Origi's performance will leave Klopp with an interesting selection for the return leg at Anfield in a week. Does he keep with the Belgian—whose strong running and upper-body strength saw him win the one-vs.-one against Sven Bender time and again—or start Sturridge for a different approach altogether.

What's most pleasing is that Klopp clearly has options. For all the talk of Rodgers' failure to have a so-called plan B, Klopp seemingly has plan B and plan C. He's able to use them effectively and did so against his former side, perhaps taking Tuchel by surprise.

There's also the option of starting Roberto Firmino, who came off the bench in the latter stages to return from injury. His ability to press the Dortmund back line could prove effective at Anfield.

In the meantime, there's an opportunity opening for the effective Allen, with Henderson sidelined with a potentially serious knee injury, and Can suspended for the next two domestic games. Allen will be starting the next three games; at home to Stoke City and Dortmund, and away to Bournemouth.

Success stories like Origi and Allen prove the differences Klopp is making on individuals, while results and performances in games such as this against one of Europe's best attacking sides, shows the differences Klopp is making tactically and mentally at Liverpool.

Advantage Liverpool, but it's only very slight. The second leg at Anfield will be like a cup final, with both sides feeling that whoever wins that has a huge opportunity to lift the trophy this season.

* Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.