Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge put in a below par performance during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Saturday (2 April) Getty

Daniel Sturridge is facing the prospect of starting Liverpool's clash against Borussia Dortmund from the bench with Jurgen Klopp set to start Divock Origi ahead of the England international, who has started the last four games for the Reds since his return from injury. The former Manchester City striker was below par in their recent clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the manager could be tempted to give him rest and start the livelier Belgian instead.

According to the Guardian, Origi could get the nod ahead of Sturridge for the clash against the Bundesliga side due to the latter's subdued performance during the 1-1 draw against Spurs. Moreover, the German coach revealed that the English forward's withdrawal was more to do with tactics rather than fitness. This could persuade Klopp to stick with the same line up that started the game against the White Hart Lane outfit barring Sturridge.

The demotion to the bench will be a big blow for the Three Lions star, who is hoping for a consistent run in the team until the end of the season to prove his fitness to England manager Roy Hodgson, who will name his squad for the European Championship finals on 12 May.

Klopp, meanwhile, is hoping that his team can put up a real challenge when they face his former club at the famed Westfalenstadion on 7 April, despite the German side being the overwhelming favourites to progress to the semi-finals owing to their current form. They are second in the Bundesliga and are unbeaten in their last 11 Bundesliga games.

"We are ready and as good as we can be at this moment. Since Sunday I've seen five games of Dortmund. Each 90 minutes. And obviously they are full of confidence and playing really good, but as always in football it is up to the opponent how good you really are," Klopp said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"We hope and we think we can be a real challenge – not the favourite, that's not important – but they have a team that has been together for two years which only had a bad experience at the first half of last season which made them stronger, it's obvious.

"They have a good manager but I don't think I should go there thinking I have to win 5-0 so everyone can say: 'Oh look what he can do.' I'm really fine with the situation. Let's go there, play well, see what we can do, fly home, and then invite them to Anfield," the German coach added.