Action from the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Liverpool and hosts Borussia Dortmund last week. The match ended 1-1 with the second leg to be played in Liverpool on Thursday. (Photo: AP)
Action from the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Liverpool and hosts Borussia Dortmund last week. The match ended 1-1 with the second leg to be played in Liverpool on Thursday. (Photo: AP)
Borussia Dortmund have no qualms about coping with an electric Anfield atmosphere on Thursday when the German giants take on Liverpool in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Divock Origi’s away goal, later cancelled out by a Mats Hummels header in a 1-1 draw in Dortmund, put Liverpool in a favourable position as Jurgen Klopp made an emotional return to his former club.
However, Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is confident his side can reach the last four despite Liverpool’s imposing home record against German opposition with the Reds unbeaten in 15 matches.
“We can score away goals too, and we can score more than one,” said Tuchel, whose team effectively surrendered any hopes of chasing down Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga after twice conceding the lead in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Ruhr Valley rivals Schalke.
“We are not frightened. We have been to a lot of places and scored and won,” he added, with Dortmund unbeaten in 18 games since the turn of the year.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner though is counting on the Anfield faithful to spur on the home side as they continue their quest for a 12th European trophy, three of which have come in this competition.
“Any player wants to play in the big games and the best atmospheres. European nights at Anfield are definitely right up there with anywhere on the planet,” Milner told the club’s official website.
Sevilla can move a step closer towards a third successive title when they host La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao, with the holders leading 2-1 from the first leg.
Four-time champions Sevilla are on a record run of 11 straight home victories in Europa.
