Boss: I'm satisfied but Dortmund tie is still 50-50
Jürgen Klopp was satisfied with Liverpool's performance in drawing 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund but insisted the Europa League quarter-final remains '50-50' after the first leg.
Divock Origi put the Reds ahead in the first half at Signal Iduna Park with a composed finish, only for Mats Hummels to head home an equaliser three minutes into the second period.
From there on in, Dortmund enjoyed large spells of possession while Klopp’s men forced Roman Weidenfeller into several crucial saves as an absorbing game remained so until the final whistle.
At his post-match press conference, the manager offered his take on the tie’s opening 90 minutes, reflected further on the return to his former club and explained why Origi was in the starting XI.
Here is a summary of Klopp’s assessment…
On the game…
I’m satisfied with lots of parts of the game. Our organisation was good and we were brave with our plan. And around the 1-0 we were brilliant, to be honest, really good moments. We played direct football and showed what we are capable of. Then, of course, against a team like Dortmund with their quality, organisation and self-confidence, you cannot defend each pass. So you need to be patient in the midfield, you need to be ready to get frustrated when you can’t avoid the pass. We had to fight with big passion and that’s what we did.
Their biggest chance in the first half was when they played a chip ball behind the line, [Marcel] Schmelzer with a cross and then Mama blocked the ball – that was really brilliant play. Usually they have more of these moments, so we did really well. We scored a wonderful goal, quick in mind, really cool. A nice pass from Alberto [Moreno], nice run by Milly and flick-on, and Divock scored like he played the whole game – brilliant. In the second half, a set-piece, and how it is in football that’s a fault of all of us. I decided to have Adam Lallana in this position instead of Divock Origi, sorry for this. We could have avoided the cross, of course; then Mats Hummels scored the goal but we were still in the game. [For] our really big chances, Roman Weidenfeller did really well, a perfect performance. At the end it was open. I think we deserved the draw.
On coming back to Dortmund…
It was an unusual situation with everything around the game. There were more outside circumstances than perhaps we’re used to. Going onto the pitch, there was polite applause that I took and I made a small gesture in return. Overall, coming back was good. This stadium is a great venue and a great place to play football. The people here are very special as well. I felt good coming back. Then it moved to the game and the focus was totally on the game. We’re going to travel home back to Liverpool looking forward to next Thursday’s return game at Anfield.
On the second leg…
We saw the game – it’s still 50-50. Dortmund don’t care too much where they play and where they score goals. Of course they’re still in a very good position. But I think it was very important for us to show this Liverpool face. A lot of people thought a lot of things about our probable or possible performance, and maybe they are a little bit surprised. I’m really happy with the performance. The away goal is good and much better than a 0-0, 100 per cent better. But we have to play at our best in the rematch to go through. Nothing is decided. That’s good for all supporters and all people who love football; it will be another really tight clash and I’m looking forward to it.
On Origi starting the match…
We thought it would make sense to start with Divock – it’s nothing about Daniel [Sturridge]. Daniel played the last few games. It’s completely normal, a completely normal thing in football. Now he is fresh and can play against Stoke, that’s good for us. He came in and immediately had a brilliant moment. You could see how strong he is in one second. Nobody can say what would have happened if we had started with Daniel, maybe we would have been better, I don’t know. But it was a decision. Divock played well and it was not too brave [a decision], to be honest. Divock had no rhythm in the season, how could he have? He always had a little injury here, a little injury there. Remember the Leicester game – he was outstanding and then out for four weeks. He is a young lad, we have to carry on and work with him.