Friday 8 April 2016 07:28, UK
Divock Origi scored the goal and Jurgen Klopp took the applause, but it was the efforts of Liverpool’s much-maligned defensive figures that stood out in their 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund, writes Adam Bate.
Get the popcorn out. That was the mood as Liverpool's supposedly calamitous defence prepared to take on one of the strongest forward lines in Europe. Even Reds fans were fraught with trepidation. As it was, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and the rest stood firm amid the cauldron of noise that is the Westfalenstadion to give Liverpool genuine hope of progression to a Europa League semi-final.
In truth, the concern for what lay in wait was not without justification. Speedy striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has 36 goals to his name so far this season with Marco Reus and Henrik Mhkitaryan bringing the poise, purpose and invention in support. Between them the trio have 43 goals in the Bundesliga alone and more than 60 in all competitions. Ostensibly, this was a mismatch.
But there was Sakho, popping up with an incredible block from Mhkitaryan as the Dortmund player appeared ready to pounce. There was Lovren sweeping across to cover and intercept Aubameyang's goal-bound shot from the right channel. There was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, advancing to flick the ball from Reus's path as he prepared to tap home. And this was just in the first half.
Thanks to Divock Origi's opener, Liverpool led at half-time and the fans who'd readied themselves to watch every Dortmund attack from the gaps between their fingers, fearing that the shared rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone and mutual love-in for Jurgen Klopp would be as good as it got, began to believe. The home side equalised soon after, but Liverpool's defence were just warming to the task.
It was never entirely convincing. In the moments before Mats Hummels levelled things up, Sakho inexplicably measured a pass into his opponent's path. Twice Lovren was forced to cover for his centre-back partner and just when it appeared that he was the more assured of the two men, the Croatian hurriedly smashed a clearance against Nathaniel Clyne. But that, it seems, is how they roll.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher referred to the pair as "excellent" and whether by luck or by judgement - Liverpool fans are long past caring - they got the job done. The moment that summed it up best perhaps came when Reus attempted to dink the ball beyond Sakho only for the defender to throw his head in the way. It lacked the grace of Hummels but, on the night, it was more effective.
And then came the confirmation of their personal triumph. Anyone who'd envisioned Aubameyang being withdrawn with a quarter of an hour to go, might have anticipated its purpose being to reward the forward with a warm applause from the crowd. Perhaps it would be a rest so he could ready himself to receive the match-ball. Instead it was tactical. He'd been seen off by Sakho and Lovren.
For all his improvement this season, this was another step up for Lovren and he delivered. Sakho had struggled against Tottenham as recently as Saturday but also justified his manager's support. This was a reminder that these are defenders capable of repelling the best. It's reliability not capability that they are seeking to add to their armoury.
According to Opta, no team in the country has made more errors leading to shots than Liverpool this season. Lovren himself topped that particular chart for individual mistakes last season. But this was a night to reward his own advances and the mental resilience that both men have shown. Together with Mignolet, the three players have helped to give Liverpool a fighting chance at Anfield.
Nobody is doubting that Klopp has work to do in reshaping this Liverpool side in the summer and the defence is certain to be on his list of priorities. But that's for another day. Before all that, there's a trophy to contest, moments to enjoy and a proud European history on which to build. Four more performances like this one and we really will have an against-the-odds redemption tale to enjoy.
