Liverpool-Borussia Dortmund combined XI

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action against Liverpool's Jordan Henderson during the pre season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on August 10, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action against Liverpool's Jordan Henderson during the pre season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on August 10, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 2, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 2, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

AMC- Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho had to find a way into this side. He’s been playing left wing for Liverpool recently but that’s where Marco Reus resides and that’d be a tough argument to make, even to a room full of Liverpool fans.

But the Brazilian will certainly be one of the best 11 players on the pitch come the next two Thursday nights, so the tactics need to be tinted to get Coutinho in the team. Opting for an attacking 4-3-3 does the trick, even if this team might be exposed in the back.

Liverpool need to get Coutinho the ball at all times, let him run at defenders until he needs a substitution because he’s the best chance that Liverpool will be successful going forward, especially if Dortmund are back and settled defensively. Other decent chances will come when Liverpool high press and manufacture chances off mistakes.

But, hey, maybe they’ll put in a performance for the ages.

Or, conversely, maybe they’ll capitulate and lose by three.

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