Liverpool Klopp Episode 37 - Star Trek (reboot 2009)

Leg 2 against Manchester United in the Europa League. Manchester United has had a tough season but remains above LFC in the Premier League table and will "fire everything" at LFC not wanting to be beaten at home and tossed out of the Europa league competition.

Roger Bennett of MIB says that on the train ride between the two cities, you can tell which city you are closer to by the graffiti you see denouncing the opposing city's club. So even though LFC has a 2-0 lead from leg one, nothing should be taken for granted in this long standing rivalry. Interestingly, this is the first time the two storied clubs have faced off in the Europa League.

If all the players are healthy and so far haven't seen any reports of new injuries, will figure the same line-up that took the field last Thursday will do so again. The only possible shift is to plug the recovered Milner in for Lallana. However, my feeling is that Klopp will use Milner as first substitute off the bench before returning him to a starting role in the EPL match against Southampton this Sunday.

Late news suggests that Moreno might be a scratch due to a hamstring. Brad Smith is suggested as the likely replacement. Wonder if Milner has ever played at left back? A Google search says that he has!

UPDATE: Took a look at the comments over at UK Guardian....  Manchester United is definitely FIRING EVERYTHING (at 25' MUFC has out possessed LFC 3-to-1!) and LFC is being pushed to the edge but so far still hang on 0-0.

At-the-half: 1-1 (agg. 1-3)! MUFC was pushing hard and eventually LFC broke down surrendering a penalty. Martial cashed it in at the 32 minute mark. However, late in the half, LFC was able to counter-attack and had a couple of near misses. As the half wound down, Coutinho pulls a rabbit out of the hat to tie it at the 45 minute mark!

Murray of UK Guardian describes the scene at Old Trafford: Well, that’s changed the picture somewhat. Coutinho’s goal was pretty much the last kick of the half, and you could hear the atmosphere sucking out of Old Trafford as the ball nestled gently into the net. It’s a quiet stadium all of a sudden, though Liverpool’s travelling support are currently banging out the Johnny Cash songbook.

Wonder what Van Gaal will say to the team in the locker room? They will now need 3 goals to zero in the second half to win the match. Look for MUFC to FIRE EVERYTHING right from the start. LFC needs smart defending and be crafty on the counter-attack when Man U pushes up more attackers to press for the goals. Would look for Origi for freshness in the counter attack and then eventually Allen for fresh legs on defense.

FT: 1-1 (agg. 1-3) Yes! LFC advance to the next round of the Europa League!