Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool preview: Jurgen Klopp prepares for emotional reunion with former club

A look ahead to the Europa League fixture at Signal Iduna Park

Jurgen Klopp saying goodbye to Borussia Dortmund last year (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Dejan Lovren: The Croatian defender was turned far too easily as he allowed Harry Kane to score Tottenham’s equaliser at the weekend and he will need to improve as he looks to shackle one of Europe’s top strikers in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. If the Dortmund front man is given space in the box and opportunities to test Simon Mignolet, it could be a long night for the visitors.

Weird stat…

2: This will be the 18th time Liverpool have played a European away game in Germany, they have only won two of their previous 17 trips.

Remember when…

This game will be an emotional occasion for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, the German will be returning to Signal Iduna Park in his first season away from the club he guided to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012. He is still revered by the Dortmund fans who gave him this spectacular send off in his final game back in May 2015.

Player to watch…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: The Gabon striker has scored four goals in his last four appearances and was in scintillating form as he helped Dortmund blow Tottenham away in the last round.

Liverpool’s defensive record in the Europa League this season has been exceptional, conceding just twice in their last seven games in the competition. However, they have conceded five goals in their last three games and any shakiness in the back line will surely be capitalised upon by Aubameyang, particularly with the talents of Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Gonzalo Castro looking to unlock the Liverpool defence.

Past three-meetings…

Liverpool 2 (Smicer, Wright) Borussia Dortmund 0
Champions League, October 2001

Borussia Dortmund 0 Liverpool 0
Champions League, September 2001

Borussia Dortmund 2 (Held, Libuda) Liverpool 1 (Hunt)
European Cup Winners Cup, May 1966

Form guide…

Borussia Dortmund: WDWWLW

Liverpool: DWWWWW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 20:05

TV: Live coverage on BT Sport Europe from 19:15