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Divock Origi ensured Jurgen Klopp's return to his former club Borussia Dortmund was a happy one as Liverpool earned a 1-1 draw in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Klopp made a big call in selecting Origi ahead of regular number one striker Daniel Sturridge and the decision paid off as the 20-year-old pounced on a flick-on by James Milner in the 36th minute before firing past Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller.
The Germans grabbed an equaliser just after half-time when centre-back Mats Hummels nodded home but Klopp's tactics mean it is his current side who will hold the advantage at Anfield next week.
Origi, who offered pace and strength in behind, was a constant handful for Dortmund’s backline but Liverpool’s defence were also given problems to deal with.
Up until the Belgian’s opening goal, the Bundesliga side had the majority of the game’s chances and it was only thanks to the interventions of Mamadou Sakho that they did not score sooner.
Who impressed us at Signal Iduna Park? Check out the gallery below to find out…
Show all 22 1 /22Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Roman Weidenfeller – 7 out of 10 Suffered the odd unconvincing moment but his string of saves to deny Liverpool after Hummels’ equaliser was brilliant goalkeeping.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Łukasz Piszczek – 6 out of 10 Regularly threatened going forward but seemed incapable of adapting to balls being played in behind him.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Sven Bender – 6 out of 10 Appeared positively terrified of Origi’s pace and bluster but was on hand at some crucial moments to block and intercept, particularly in the nervy moments after his side’s equaliser.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Mats Hummels – 7 out of 10 Looked some way off the world-class centre-half we have come to know but took his headed goal expertly.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Marcel Schmelzer – 6 out of 10 Like Piszczek on the other side, an offensive threat who struggled to deal with Liverpool’s running in behind. Will see Origi in his sleep tonight.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Gonzalo Castro – 5 out of 10 A victim of Liverpool’s excellent organisation, he failed to have much impact on affairs.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Julian Weigl – 7 out of 10 One lovely lofted ball to Schmelzer opened up Liverpool’s backline and deserved better. Tidy in possession.
2016 Getty Images
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Erik Durm – 5 out of 10 Sloppy with the ball, quiet off it and did not take advantage of Moreno’s tendency to lose his positioning. Appropriately hooked at half-time.
2016 Getty Images
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7 out of 10 Found space and caused problems up until Origi’s goal, after which the away side shut up shop. Showed why his opponents once wanted his signature.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Marco Reus - 5 out of 10 A disappointment. Muted throughout. John W. Henry’s Twitter feed may be seeing less commands to sign the winger after this display.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6 out of 10 Posed a threat with his pace but was largely shut down by Liverpool’s defence. Subbed without having a sniff.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Simon Mignolet – 7 out of 10 Too many Cruyff turns for comfort. Still, he dealt with everything that came his way.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Nathaniel Clyne – 7 out of 10 Caught napping on occasions, particularly in the build-up to Mkhitaryan’s big first-half chance, but one of his better offensive displays in a red shirt
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Dejan Lovren – 7 out of 10 Should’ve done much better with his headed chance in the first half but that shoul not detract from a good defensive showing.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Mamadou Sakho – 8 out of 10 On hand to block the game’s first big opportunity, which would have almost certainly gone in had he not stopped it. Occasionally clumsy, as ever, but otherwise solid.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Alberto Moreno – 7 out of 10 A far more intelligent and measured performance than we’re used to from the full-back, aside from one daft challenge late on. Are Klopp’s touchline rantings finally beginning to sink in?
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Jordan Henderson – 6 out of 10 Picked up a knee problem during the first-half which is disappointing, particularly after his energetic displays during the international break. Pulled at half-time.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Emre Can - 6 out of 10 Picked up a silly booking for a foul on Castro early on which hindered him for the rest of the night. Carried the ball well to relieve pressure.
2016 Liverpool FC
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings James Milner – 8 out of 10 Provided the assist for the opener, covered the troublesome Piszczek well, even provided the odd trick and flick. It’ll probably be overlooked, but a good display.
2016 Getty Images
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Adam Lallana – 5 out of 10 The poor, 5ft 8in soul who had to pick up Hummels on the goal. It was no contest.
Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Philippe Coutinho – 6 out of 10 Given his form, it was fair to expect more from the Brazilian.
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Dortmund vs Liverpool player ratings Divock Origi – 8 out of 10 Justified his selection, not just with that finish, but his stretching of Dortmund’s backline throughout. Offers pace, yes, but also that little bit of muscle to beat a marker.
2016 Liverpool FC
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