Eight Dortmund players rested and Gundogan makes return ahead of Liverpool clash

Jay Z Julian Weigl

Borussia Dortmund have turned their attentions towards Thursday’s Europa League clash with Liverpool.

The German side seem to be focusing on the European competition after slipping further behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Dortmund rested a total of eight players over the weekend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marcos Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

“It is a very realistic scenario that Bayern will become champions. I don’t know if the big comeback is really still on,” Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel said.

“Of course we were playing our 48th competitive match of the season and we are close to our physical limit.”

Gundogan made his first appearance in over a month when he came on off the bench during Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with Schalke.

Liverpool have been closely linked with the midfielder according to the Daily Star newspaper. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp does of course know Gundogan well from his time in charge of Dortmund in fact he is credited with his development.

Gundogan is likely to feature against Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Anfield.

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