Liverpool added another fairytale comeback to the history books as they fought back from 3-1 down against Borussia Dortmund to reach the Europa League semifinals after Dejan Lovrens towering stoppage-time header secured a 4-3 win on Thursday.
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It won’t be easy next season, but Liverpool are likely to be far stronger and far better suited to taking on the challenges in this league.
With Jurgen Klopp’s revolution beginning to take shape at the Premier League club, many are starting to believe that the German can bring back the glory days.
Howe, though, has no intentions of letting anyone’s work-rate drop.
Die Welt used the headline “Jurgen Klopp dealt Dortmund a bitter lesson”, Süddeutsche Zeitung went with “Klopp hurricane sweeps BVB away” and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung with “Klopp destroyed BVB’s title dream”. A wonderful, wonderful night at Anfield and to be honest the game was unusual, an nearly disbelieving Klopp said. I don’t think we’ll see that until next season’.
In stark contrast, Liverpool is attempting to win its ninth major continental trophy, and in the process, draw level with Sevilla as the competition’s record four-time victor.
Howe could be boosted by the return of Junior Stanislas (hamstring), although Harry Arter (Achilles), Benik Afobe (hamstring) and Adam Smith (hernia) are out.
The news comes just a week or so after fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson was ruled out for the rest of the season following a knee injury of his own. They have some big games to come.
“We got to the League Cup final and while we didn’t win we put ourselves in position again”.
I fancy Bournemouth to earn a result from this one, for as impressive as Liverpool have been over the past week, the physical and emotional energy expended at Anfield on Thursday night will inevitably take some toll on their performance this weekend.
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Villarreal, who have never met Liverpool in a competitive fixture, are winless in their last 10 games against English opposition – drawing six and losing four.
