Liverpool can overcome Divock Origi, Emre Can, Mamadou Sakho absences

When the whistle blew at Anfield to signal the end of an incredible, pulsating and stunning Europa League quarterfinal victory over Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago, Liverpool supporters were on top of the world and full of belief that their team would now go all the way in the competition. After all, having beaten the best team left in the competition, why wouldn't you feel confident?

The 4-3 victory over Dortmund was being hailed by some supporters as the greatest European night in
Anfield history, while even those who weren't prepared to go quite that far would surely rate it in the top five.

Having also knocked out arch-rivals Manchester United in the previous round, life was good on the Red half of Merseyside and Kopites were already planning their trip to Switzerland for the Europa League final on May 18.

While the dream is still very much alive, events since that night have dampened the excitement. It's just been one setback after another, and the team that takes to the field in Spain against Villarreal on Thursday will be significantly different to the one that earned the right to be there.

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The first setback came almost immediately with reports the following day that Emre Can was set to miss the rest of the season with an injury that forced him to leave the field late in the win over Dortmund. Those fears may have proved to be a little premature and there is now at least some hope that he could return ahead of schedule but, even if he does make it, will he be 100 percent healthy?

Less than a week later came the second setback, as Divock Origi's season was potentially ended by a shocking challenge by Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori in the Merseyside derby. The young Belgian had scored home and away against Dortmund and bagged two more against Stoke City in between. He'd also continued his hot streak by finding the net against Everton before leaving the field on a stretcher. Under normal circumstances a 4-0 win and utter humiliation of the Blues would be cause for great celebration, but Origi's injury took the shine off what should have been a wonderful night for Klopp, his players and the fans.

Divock Oirigi has scored five Premier League goals this season.

Then came the unwanted "hat trick" as the third setback arrived last Saturday when it was revealed that key defender Mamadou Sakho had failed a drugs test and will not be considered for first-team action until the matter is resolved. Any potential punishment, which could mean a lengthy absence, will depend on the outcome of UEFA's investigation. The news has cast a big cloud over the rest of Liverpool's season as Sakho is an immensely popular figure.

It's often said that bad news comes in threes and Jurgen Klopp will doubtless agree after seeing the spine of his team completely ripped out in the space of a little over two weeks. The loss of Sakho is surely the worst of all, not because he's a more important player than the other two but because of the reason for his absence and the damage to morale around the club it may cause.

Sakho tested positive for a banned substance following Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March that saw them eliminate their rivals 3-1 on aggregate. This writer was on ESPN FC player ratings duty that night and awarded the Frenchman a perfect 10, reiterating his importance to the team.

The centre-back also performed superbly in the away leg in Germany and then scored a late goal in the return leg to draw Liverpool level at 3-3 before his defensive partner Dejan Lovren headed that memorable late winner. Another Sakho goal followed in front of the Kop in the Merseyside derby before news of the failed drug test three days later. The revelation dominated supporters' conversations both before and after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United and to lose Sakho in such an unexpected and serious manner is far worse than it would have been had he simply picked up an injury.

In Sakho and Origi, Liverpool have lost two of the goal scorers from that epic Dortmund victory, while Can was man of the match in the eyes of many, with his performance that night described as "world class" by Klopp.

Mamadou Sakho has made 22 Premier League appearances this season.

Those are all big shoes to fill and Liverpool will be hard pressed to replace the physicality they have now lost. Kolo Toure is the most likely replacement for Sakho; Joe Allen or Lucas will step in for Can; and
Origi's absence will almost certainly see Daniel Sturridge lead the line in Spain. All the replacements are more than capable, but there is no question that Liverpool have lost pace, power and physical presence through the centre of the park, and their task has been made considerably harder because of it. The lack of height could now be a problem on set pieces too.

Yet even without the missing trio (not to mention injured club captain Jordan Henderson), Liverpool should still feel confident they can achieve success in their Europa League semifinal. The teams left in the tournament are no pushovers by any means, but Liverpool's task is a lot less daunting than Manchester City's in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

So while the recent depletion of their starting lineup makes things more difficult, the Reds should still have more than enough quality to get the job done if they play to their potential. When one door closes, another opens, and perhaps the stage is set for an unlikely hero to emerge. It would take something incredible to top what happened against Dortmund, but a Toure winner in Switzerland might just do it.

CREDIT TO:www.espnfc.co.uk/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/2859668/liverpool-can-overcome-divock-origi-emre-can-and-mamadou-sakho-absences