Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has instructed his players to forget about their slender away-goal advantage ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal second leg against his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool secured a 1-1 draw in last week’s first leg in Germany, with Divock Origi’s first-half opener for the visitors cancelled out by a header from Mats Hummels.
But with Dortmund having plundered 119 goals in all competitions this season, Klopp does not expect Origi’s goal to prove decisive.
“I think we can ignore the first leg,” said the German, for whom the Europa League represents the last chance to crown his maiden season with a piece of silverware.
“This Dortmund team can score goals. They are not an opponent where you can go into a game thinking we can keep a clean sheet. Maybe after 85 minutes it (the away goal) will be relevant, but not earlier.
“It is a completely normal game and the crowd is more of an advantage if we are good and if they like the game they will help us more than the goal in Dortmund.
“Only when we play 0-0 it is a real advantage. If we win we don’t need it; if we lose it isn’t helpful.
“This is a new start and we will see who handles the situation better. Who is more clear in their offensive action, who is more disciplined in defence, who is brave enough to take a chance?
“In my opinion the atmosphere will be the biggest difference.”
The first leg took place amid a fervent atmosphere at the Westfalenstadion, where kick-off was preceded by a stirring communal rendition of the clubs’ shared anthem, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
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