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Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho Liverpool's 'weak links', former Dortmund star says

Mamadou Sakho, Sven Bender and Dejan Lovren vie for the ball during the Europa League quarter-final, first-leg match Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool
Image: Mamadou Sakho (left) and Dejan Lovren (second right) challenge Sven Bender during Liverpool's 1-1 draw in Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund should attack Liverpool's "weak link" centre-halves to silence Anfield on Thursday, according to Steffen Freund.

Liverpool's 1-1 draw in Dortmund means the visitors will need to score at least once to deny former boss Jurgen Klopp a place in the last four of the Europa League.

And  former Tottenham midfielder Freund, a two-time Bundesliga winner with Dortmund, told Sky Sports News HQ a positive opening is the key to qualification.

"A good start in the game would be very good," he said. "Dortmund should attack very early in the first ten minutes. They should try to force Liverpool to make mistakes.

"The central defenders of the Reds are the weakest links - Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho. If they are under pressure, they make mistakes."

An early goal might also dampen an Anfield atmosphere expected to rival that produced by Dortmund's famous 'Yellow Wall' at their Signal Iduna Park home.

Some Liverpool fans are unhappy with the new ticket prices at Anfield
Image: Dortmund have been warned to expect a lively Anfield atmosphere on Thursday

"Just don't be intimidated," is Freund's advice for his old club. "It's the last chance for Liverpool to make it in the Champions League next year. In the Premier League they won't qualify.

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"It's a very special stadium. It's so tight, loud and emotional. But Dortmund should have got used to that kind of atmosphere from their own stadium. They have probably the best stadium in Europe."

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