‘Brilliant’ Liverpool could have won, says Klopp

Scott Anderson
Jurgen Klopp: Believes his side could have won the match

Jurgen Klopp: Believes his side could have won the match

Jurgen Klopp hailed his “brilliant” Liverpool side after they claimed a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Signal Iduna Park. 

Divock Origi, who was chose to start the game ahead of Daniel Sturridge, gave Liverpool the lead in the first half, but only three minutes after half time Dortmund captain Mats Hummels put his side level with a free-header from six yards out.

Philippe Coutinho came closest to snatching the win for Liverpool, but Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller denied the Brazilian with a stunning save.

Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren produced solid displays at the heart of the Reds defence, and Klopp’s side held on to take a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal back to Anfield for the second leg next week.

Speaking after the match, Klopp said: “Dortmund is a pretty good side and everyone could see that but we had our moments and we could have won the game.

“I’m pretty sure a lot of people thought we would lose 2, 3 or 4-0. But at some moments we had Dortmund and around our goal we were brilliant.

“We are not that far on our way like they are and we cannot at the moment play like they play, but we can defend and score goals so we can win.”

Much of the pre-match talk was regarding Klopp’s decision to start with 20-year-old Divock Origi ahead of Daniel Sturridge, but in an impressive display Origi justified his inclusion.

Speaking about the Belgian’s performance, the Liverpool boss said: “Divock was made for this game with the space he can make and how he can hold the ball.”

The positive result came at a cost for the Reds with captain Jordan Henderson being forced off with a knee injury.

“It’s a disappointment about Jordan,” said Klopp. “He has a knee injury and that’s not too good – it’s really bad news. He will have a scan tomorrow.”