We all missed it. In all the previews and pre-match talk, trying to figure out how Liverpool could stop the attacking behemoth that is Dortmund, we missed the obvious. The crazy blonde dude with a cap in the Liverpool dugout, knew the ins and outs of almost every player in the Dortmund team. That little tidbit was what got Liverpool a priceless draw away from home.
Klopp was the manager that began this Dortmund high-energy brand of football where the ball must always go forward at every given opportunity. I dub it "Oppressive Attacking Sexiness" or O.A.S for short. That has been expanded upon by Tuchel, but still kept the core of the idea that was conceived by Jurgen K. Which is why he knew this and also had knowledge of the players and their characteristics. That is an excellent advantage to have.
What you got in the game was an almost perfect defensive display from Liverpool. They were trained and tutored in how Reus, Aubamayeng and Mkhitaryan like to attack with their weaknesses as well. So that's how Dortmund got frustrated and were unable to create any clear chances in the first half. They were shut down with some superb defensive play from Sakho who intercepted every kind of ball that Dortmund would try and thread through.
This draw has me really looking at Liverpool as being strong favorites now to go through. Klopp may have not yet gotten his team to play in the way his Dortmund did, but one thing that they have is a very tough mentality. They know how to grind and get down, keeping themselves in the game with tough defending making them a tough team to beat. That trait can get you a long way in any competition. Of course, you need some skill and talent to go with that. Which is why going into the second leg, Liverpool are in a much stronger position because of the way this first leg panned out. Secretly, Klopp knows this and can already sniff the semi-final.
As for Tuchel and Dortmund, they really need to look at a Plan B. Attacks from the wide will need to be looked at a realistic option because each time Mkhitaryan and Reus tried to play their way through the middle, there was no space for them to penetrate. Both Sakho and (surprisingly) Lovren were titans in defense and no matter what Dortmund tried, the two defenders swatted it away. Which is why an alternative approach to try and break down Liverpool is needed and if you can't waltz through the middle, you've got to stretch it right up.
So the challenge for Tuchel is trying to come with a plan that Klopp can't see through. As good as the Dortmund way is, Klopp knows it and therefore he can nullify it. Tuchel has excellent players at his fingertips and there is very much a Plan B he can employ which Klopp won't be prepared for. Looking at how this match turned out, if Tuchel tries to play the same way again at Anfield, I've got to go all in for Liverpool as I would expect them to succesfully shut out the dudes in yellow and black again. HH
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