Liverpool 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Liverpool target Christian Pulisic came off the bench to score twice for BVB as the German side came from behind to win against their old boss.
Jurgen Klopp will always be a popular figure at Dortmund, having managed them for seven years and bringing an attacking style to the Bundesliga’s best-supported club. So Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund was a popular fixture for both sets of fans; his current team showed much of the ambition in a hot atmosphere but came out second in a dramatic finish.
The Reds had a strong side out, featuring a good smattering of Premier League regulars including England star Adam Lallana and striker Daniel Sturridge. But new Borussia boss Lucien Favre shuffled his pack brilliantly to earn his third win in three games.
Our Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund predictions pointed to a tough night for Dortmund with the SBOBET odds at 2.90 for the German side to win. But they stuck to their task and delivered again.
Highlights of the game
With two attacking teams on show in North Carolina, we thought the Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund highlights were always likely to feature goals. But the first half was a fairly muted affair.
Dortmund had the better of the early stages but couldn’t profit. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is under some pressure after having had a nightmare in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat and with the recent arrival of Brazil goalkeeper Alisson at Anfield. And he looked nervous in the opening stages, almost gifting Max Philipp a goal with a hurried clearance, but the striker fired harmlessly wide.
And Liverpool took advantage on 25 minutes with their first attempt on target, and it was the towering figure of £75-million defender Virgil van Dijk who broke the deadlock. He met a superb cross from wing-back Andy Robertson and planted his header past Marwin Hitz and into the net.
That goal seemed to take the wind from BVB’s sails, and for the rest of the half Liverpool dominated the ball without really threatening to score further.
Favre made a flurry of substitutions at the beginning of the second half including the introduction of tricky winger Christian Pulisic, who has been a Liverpool target again this summer. Jurgen Klopp has admired the star since managing him when he was at Dortmund, and reports suggest he has bid to bring him to Anfield before.
So Liverpool was facing a stronger side in the second half and they responded by bringing on the experienced James Milner and new signing Naby Keita. And it was Milner who came close on 55 minutes, finding space to curl a shot inches over the bar. And then Daniel Sturridge fired wide when he could have done better.
England starlet Dominic Solanke really should have made it two when he met an Alberto Moreno cross, but he headed wide.
Moments later, Hitz saved from Sheyi Ojo and the ball ricocheted off the bar. But as Liverpool began to wonder how they weren’t 2-0 up, suddenly it was 1-1. And it was Pulisic who made and scored the equaliser on 66 minutes. First, he controlled superbly in the box and drew a foul from Milner. And then, he climbed to his feet to smash the ball down the middle as Karius made his dive.
It was hot work in North Carolina, and the teams took a water break on 70 minutes before the last push. Liverpool continued to look the more likely to score with young Ben Woodburn shooting powerfully but straight at Hitz. Joe Gomez had a great chance to score, but his header was gathered easily by the busy Dortmund keeper.
As Liverpool began to think a goal would never come, it finally did; and they went 2-1 down! It was that man Pulisic again. Marcel Schmelzer broke quickly and found the US star who coolly fired home his second on 89 minutes.
There was still time for BVB to add insult to injury: Pulisic fired another shot which Karius could only parry, and Jacob Larsen slotted home.
Liverpool will wonder how they lost this, but Klopp may be preparing a bid for Pulisic!
Key statistics
After Favre’s team saw off Manchester City on Friday, they have now beaten the second favourites for the 2018/19 EPL title. It was a game the Reds dominated for long periods and had the best chances. But BVB had their attempts on goal too, losing the shot count by just seven to eight.
But Karius only made one save as BVB scored with three of their four on-target attempts while Liverpool had five on target and scored only once.
So it’s three wins from three for Favre and his Dortmund team is looking good. But it’s back to the drawing board for Klopp.
What’s next?
Both teams are back in action on Thursday when Dortmund play a third match in a week against Portuguese giants Benfica in Pittsburgh. That’ll be another tough task against an experienced Champions League side which has won its domestic league four times in the last five seasons.
Liverpool face Premier League champions Manchester City who, with an inexperienced side, lost to Lucien Favre’s side in the ICC opener. The Metlife Stadium in New Jersey is the venue for the EPL’s best attacking sides. That will be worth a watch!
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