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Dortmund vs Liverpool: Combined XI

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Combined XI part of Euro League quarter final build up

Liverpool travel to Dortmund tonight as the only English team left in the Uefa Europa League.

But how many Liverpool players would actually get into the Dortmund team, and vice-versa? Below is Sillyseason’s combined XI for the two sides, a team that has been chosen on both current form and influence on the team.

GK: Roman Burki – Borussia Dortmund

Neither of the two sides has a ‘world class’ goalkeeper but Dortmund’s goalkeeper Burki edges it out of the two, he’s better in the air/collecting crosses than Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet, so marginally makes it into this team.

RB: Lukasz Piszczek – Borussia Dortmund

Despite Nathaniel Clyne’s solid debut season at Anfield since his move from Southampton in the summer, Piszczk takes the right back spot, and that’s down to his intelligent reading of the game. That, accompanied by his strong attacking force when helping his team get forward is the reason he gets into this combined side.

CB : Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund

Hummels returned to training after and injury spell on Tuesday and is set to be available for the game tonight. It isn’t a surprise either as he has established himself as one of Europe’s elite centre backs over the recent years. He can be a little inconsistent, but on his day can win or lose his team the football match.

CB: Dejan Lovren – Liverpool

After a shaky start to the season, Lovren has been a rock for Liverpool since Christmas especially, and that earns him a spot in this team ahead of Dortmund’s Nevan Subotic, who’s injured for the rest of the season. Some fans may disagree, but this defender is turning out to be a decent buy from ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, and could be a key player in this tie as he tries to defend against the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus.

LB: Marcel Schmelzer – Borussia Dortmund

Schmelzer has been a fantastic asset to Dortmund this season, and ahead of Alberto Moreno is the better defensive choice for this combined XI. While Moreno is the more dangerous attack option, Schmelzer has a much better defensive record and is much more sensible with his decision making.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund

The German side’s captain is the heartbeat of Dortmund’s team and his return to training on Tuesday is a huge boost ahead of this fixture, they’re just hoping that he’ll be available for the game tonight, if not, he’ll surely be in the squad for the return leg at Anfield next week. He controls the football match in midfield with his accurate passing and getting the odd goal too, he’s a big danger for Liverpool if he plays.

CM: Jordan Henderson – Liverpool

The corresponding captain, Jordan Henderson, recently revealed that he’s been playing with an injury all season, but despite this has had a good debut season as club captain, which was always going to be a tough act to follow after Steven Gerrard’s departure. His work rate is something to admire and his level of passing is just as impressive. A key player for Liverpool

RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Borussia Dortmund

He can play central or out on the wing, but either way, Mkhitaryan is a threat. Great finisher and creates chances too, he can cause Liverpool a big problem tonight with the aid of Reus and Aubameyang, Alberto Moreno needs to be careful and smart with how often he gets forward because whether it’s Mkhitarya or Reus he comes up against he needs to make sure he doesn’t leave his team a man short at the back because he’s joined an attack.

CAM: Phillipe Coutinho – Liverpool

He’s in the form of his life at Liverpool at the moment, scoring consistently and scoring important goals too. His ball control is nigh-perfect and he seems to love the club too, he’s Liverpool’s biggest dangerman at the moment and Dortmund will have a big task on their hands trying to stop him.

LM: Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund

He’s been linked with Liverpool plently of times over the last couple of years, and it’s easy to see why. Pacy, a natural finisher and great with set-pieces too, he is one of Europe’s hottest properties and Liverpool will need to keep an eye out for him tonight.

ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Borussia Dortmund

He’s Africa’s current player of the year and quite possibly Dortmund’s largest threat to Liverpool. He got 3 goals over the two ties against Spurs, 2 of those away from home but he scored a very tidy finish in the first leg. His pace may be too much for Liverpool to deal with, but we’ll have to wait and see.

 

By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10

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