Borussia Dortmund 1, Liverpool 1: Klopp happy to prove doubters wrong on return for former club
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revelled in proving the doubters wrong as his side netted a potentially pivotal away goal to eat a draw from their Europa League quarter-final first leg against tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund.
Striker Divock Origi justified his manager’s decision to thrust him into frontline action ahead of Daniel Sturridge by scoring a first-half opener, only for Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels to level shortly after the re-start.
“I’m pretty sure that a lot of people thought we would lose maybe two, three of four nil but we had them in some moments,” said Klopp, who led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles during a seven-year spell as manager at the Westfalenstadion.
“Against an opponent like Dortmund you have to move and defend with all you have until you get your chance. We are not as far on our way as they are; we cannot in this moment play like they can but we can win.”
Liverpool’s evening was tarnished by a knee injury to midfielder Jordan Henderson, who is a strong contender to seal a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship.
“The overall disappointment is for Hendo. It's a knee injury, it looks not too good which is really bad news,” added Klopp, who confirmed that Henderson will have a scan on Friday.
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Origi darted onto a James Milner flick and planted a low shot beyond Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.
Dortmund levelled within three minutes into the second half as Germany centre-half Hummels out-jumped Adam Lallana to head ferociously past Mignolet from an inswinging Mkhitaryan cross.