Klopp wrestles with emotions over Dortmund and Sturridge
Liverpool boss returns to former club in blaze of publicity, but insists focus is on victory for the Reds
Jurgen Klopp faces an emotional return to his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League tonight and is struggling to reconcile "romanticism and professionalism" as the game approaches.
There were around 200 people in attendance for the Liverpool manager's pre-match press conference, including 20 TV crews, but he is anxious not to be "cast as ringmaster in a football circus", says Chris Bascombe, of the Daily Telegraph. Instead, Klopp "wants to navigate a route to the Europa League semi-final, not marvel at whatever applause is coming his way down memory lane".
The game has been dubbed "El Kloppico" in Germany and interest in the clash, which comes a year after the club's manager of seven years announced he was leaving, is intense.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Emotions are bound to run high. Klopp "had a love affair with the Dortmund fans almost as intense as the one he is currently having with Liverpool supporters", says the Daily Mirror, and the tie "is going to tear him in two".
But so could the result. The German ranks Dortmund as one of the five best teams in the world, while the bookies have them down as favourites for the competition.
Added to that, Klopp is grappling with "one of his biggest decisions since becoming Liverpool manager as he weighs up omitting Daniel Sturridge from his starting line-up", reports The Times.
Sturridge, who was angry at being substituted against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, hopes to start a fifth successive match for the first time in two years, "but Klopp is contemplating deploying [Divock] Origi as a lone front man in the hope that the 20-year-old's superior match fitness and physical strength will trouble Dortmund’s defence and make Liverpool more of a threat on the counter-attack", says the paper.
The decision could also have ramifications for Sturridge's long-term future at Liverpool - there were rumours earlier in the year that he could be sold - and England boss Roy Hodgson has said he needs to play regular football if he is to be part of the squad for Euro 2016.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Who is Darwin Nunez? The ‘modern striker’ signing for Liverpool
Why Everyone’s Talking About Portuguese club Benfica confirm a deal for the Uruguay international worth up to €100m
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool preview, predictions, kick-off time and TV coverage
feature Premier League rivals go head-to-head in another Wembley final
By Mike Starling Published