Klopp built a speed team at Dortmund.
They could slice down the pitch with swift counter-attacks and score two goals, scaring you, demoralising you.
There was something samurai about their deadly thrusts.
Last night I was quite tired when I got home to watch the Europa Cup highlights on ITV+1.
Was also apprehensive.
Thomas Tuchel, who took over when Klopp left after seven years, has proved to be a very astute coach. They’ve looked the best team in the Europa League,although that doesn’t mean they will win it or even get to the final.
But when I saw Klopp’s line-up, it looked right.
A physical midfield of Can-Henderson-Milner was the right call because it was realistic.
Origi was another good call up top. Faster and bigger than Sturridge, he works back tenaciously, making tackles.
I was far too wasted to make notes or remember half of what I saw, apart from Origi’s tidy finish for 0-1 in goal in 36 and the headed equaliser by Mats Hummels, the defender who said, “We earn enough at Dortmund.”
It was 1-1 after 48 minutes and it stayed that way till the final whistle.
Liverpool have never lost to a German club at Anfield.
Their problem will be how to prevent the rapid Reus and the super-prolific Aubameyang from finding spaces in their box when Dortmund slice through them.
The second leg will be tactical but certainly not slow.
I can’t wait.
PS. In this big picture piece, Jonathan Wilson explains why the British should have invented gegenpressing.