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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool, Europa League quarter-final

We followed Jurgen Klopp’s return to his former club.

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League quarter-final first leg between Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp is making his much-publicised return to the club he had so much success at for the first time and it promises to be a fascinating game.

Kick-off at the Signal Iduna Park is at 8.05pm and we’ll have all the build-up between now and then.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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The scene is set and this place is sure to be rocking come kick-off. Team news is coming your way.

Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Signal Iduna Park PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The team-sheets are in and hot off the press.

A huge boost for the hosts with Mats Hummels shaking off a calf injury which kept him out of the weekend’s win over Werder Bremen to start.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all start for the hosts. Shinji Kagawa, however, is only on the bench.

Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Bender, Hummels, Schmelzer, Castro, Weigl, Durm, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang.

And this is the team Klopp has selected.

Divock Origi comes into the XI as Daniel Sturridge drops out but it’s otherwise as expected for the visitors.

It’s sure to be an emotional night for Klopp and his legacy runs deep around these parts. At yesterday’s press conference, current boss Thomas Tuchel spoke of his lasting impression:

“Borussia Dortmund is what it is now because of Jurgen Klopp,” Tuchel said.

“Anything but a great welcome for him would be a surprise. If it’s eight months or eight years, Klopp’s input will still stand.

“He’s one of the most competitive guys I know. He deserves a welcome, but he’s as eager to win as are we.”

There are three other quarter-final first-leg ties down for decision tonight, all kicking-off at 8.05pm.

  • Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
  • Braga v Shakhtar Donetsk
  • Villarreal v Sparta Prague

Can Liverpool stop them this evening?

As you can imagine, the atmosphere inside the ground is absolutely electric. Not a spare seat to be heat and this promises to be a magical evening.

Just 10 minutes until kick-off.

Jurgen Klopp saying hello to old friends.

Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Signal Iduna Park PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The scarves are being raised around all four corners of the ground and You’ll Never Walk Alone is being played over the sound system. Hair-raising stuff.

I’m not sure any words justify what we’ve just experienced in Dortmund. In the BT Sport studio, Owen Hargreaves and Steve McManaman are left speechless by that rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone. Special.

Last minute thoughts? Which way do you see this one going?

Both teams line-up in the tunnel. A stern test for Liverpool awaits at one of the game’s great arenas. It’s almost time for the talking to finally stop and the football to take centre stage.

What an atmosphere in Dortmund. Goosebumps as the players emerge and line-up for the Europa League anthem (does anybody know what that actually is?).

There are scores of photographers positioned in-front of the dugout looking for that shot of Klopp as he walks out at the Signal Iduna Park again.

Here we go, strap yourselves in.

Kick-off! We’re underway in Germany, where the hosts set the ball rolling.

Roman Weidenfeller called into action early as he sprints off his line to clear the danger with Origi looking to latch onto a ball over the top.

Dortmund getting their foot on the ball in the opening exchanges. Liverpool happy to sit in their shape and settle into the contest. It’s early stages but it looks to be a 4-5-1 for Klopp’s men.

It will be interesting to see how high the visitors press because if they get caught up the pitch, Dortmund are lethal, and so clinical, on the break. So many different sub-plots tonight.

Liverpool seeing a bit of possession for the first time. Dortmund, as is their way, are pressing high and giving the visitors little time in possession.

Eric Durm gives the ball away to Coutinho in a dangerous position and the Brazilian is then tripped by Castro. The home fans don’t like that decision.

From the free-kick, Liverpool work it out to Clyne and his cross is cleared.

Frenetic start and there’s absolutely no time or space for either side. Liverpool have to be careful not to get caught in possession and leave themselves exposed.

First booking of the game. Dortmund look to break and Can clashes with Mkhitaryan and is booked by the Spanish referee. Harsh decision and he’ll need to be on his best behaviour for the rest of the night now.

First meaningful attack of the game from Dortmund. The hosts break quickly after Clyne surrenders possession and there’s acres of room down the left-hand side.

Liverpool are stretched but the ball inside for Mkhitaryan is just over-hit and it goes through to Mignolet.

Dortmund have yet to really find their rhythm so far. Liverpool will be pleased with how they’ve pressed the Germans and made it difficult for them to find space in midfield.

Snap shot from Reus after Liverpool struggle to clear a set-piece. Milner did well to get out and force the German into snatching at his effort.

The Westfalenstadion is bouncing.

Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Signal Iduna Park PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Chance! Brilliant goal-saving block from Sakho. Weigl’s ball in behind finds Schmelzer and his cut back tees-up Mkhitaryan. His shot is goalbound but the Liverpool defender throws himself at the ball and stops a certain goal. First warning sign for the visitors.

Promising position for Liverpool. Clyne uses his pace down the right and draws the challenge from Reus. Milner standing over the free-kick.

Chance! What a chance for the Reds. Milner’s delivery is perfect and Lovren is unmarked but he heads it straight into the ground and up at Weidenfeller.

The goalkeeper takes a bang as Lovren attempts to head home the rebound and he needs treatment after cutting his lip.

Weidenfeller gets back to his feet after some running repairs. It just allows us to catch our breath after the opening 23 minutes in Dortmund.

That was a massive chance for Liverpool and it really was a poor effort from Lovren as he got up highest.

It’s been a frenetic start. Still 0-0 after 25 minutes.

Germany Soccer Europa League Martin Meissner Martin Meissner

Moreno tries his luck from range as the ball falls to him nicely on the edge of the area. He can’t keep his effort down, however, and was unable to test the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Dortmund win a corner after Aubameyang’s corner was deflected behind. Liverpool manage to deal with it comfortably and they’ve been reasonably solid defensively thus far.

Liverpool will be delighted with their start. Mignolet has yet to make a save but there’s been a couple of nervy moments on the ball under pressure from a Dortmund player.

Liverpool are opened up. Piszczek’s incisive ball finds Mkhitaryan in acres of space. The red shirts back off and he doesn’t need a second invitation to pull the trigger – but his effort was dragged wide.

GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Liverpool (Origi)

What a moment for the young striker! Out of nothing, Liverpool lead. Henderson gets the flick-on and Origi, playing off the shoulder of the last defender, uses his pace to get in behind and fire into the corner.

The Westfalenstadion stunned into silence by Klopp’s men – and Liverpool have their tails up. The goal has opened up the game and there’s acres of space for the visitors to get at this Dortmund defence.

Five minutes until the break and Liverpool hold a precious away goal.

Dortmund searching for an immediate reply but Liverpool are standing firm. Not good news for Klopp, however, as Jordan Henderson goes to ground and there’s concern for the Liverpool skipper.

Henderson receives a bit of treatment and he’s back on. Liverpool have been very bright in possession and the pace of Origi has caused Dortmund problems. An inspired decision from Klopp it would seem.

Adam Lallana goes into the book for a late challenge on Schmelzer. No doubt about that one.

Liverpool under the gosh a bit in these closing minutes of the half. Four minutes of added time.

Frustration for the home side as they’re restricted to a long-range effort. Durm lets fly on this occasion but his shot is tame and straight at Mignolet.

Chance! Liverpool hanging on and Mignolet forced to make two saves as Dortmund push for the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Aubameyang denied on this occasion.

What a chance! Liverpool break and cut through Dortmund. Origi suddenly finds himself through on goal but is denied by Weidenfeller.

Half-time! Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Liverpool

Back underway in Germany. A change apiece as Henderson comes off for Joe Allen and Eric Durm is replaced by Nuri Sahin.

A magic moment for Origi.

Germany Soccer Europa League Martin Meissner Martin Meissner

GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Liverpool (Hummels)

Nightmare start for Liverpool after the break. Hummels powers in unmarked and heads home with aplomb.

Liverpool, to their credit, have responded brilliantly and have had two great chances. Firstly, Clyne tried his luck from range and forced the goalkeeper into a smart stop. From the rebound, Coutinho picks up the ball and after jinking inside, Weidenfeller is called into action again.

The game has really opened up in this second-half and both sides are creating chances. Reus is the latest to test the handling of Mignolet from range.

Borussia Dortmund knocking on the door now. Reus again has a sight of goal, this time from a free-kick, but Mignolet deals with it comfortably.

A closer look at Origi’s goal.

MoLFC / Vine

The game is really in the balance. Liverpool have worked tirelessly and while Klopp will be disappointed with the manner of Dortmund’s equaliser, his team are doing a brilliant job.

With just 20 minutes remaining, they look dangerous on the break and have forced Dortmund into shooting from range. The frustration in the stands is growing too.

Double-change for Dortmund. Sven Bender is replaced by Sokratis Papastathopoulos and, surprisingly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyan is taken off with Christian Pulisic taking his place.

And Klopp makes a change of his own. A reshuffle for the visitors with Milner coming out onto the right-hand side and Adam Lallana making way for Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool beginning to drop deeper and deeper with 10 minutes remaining. They’ve been defensively for the most part and just need to keep their concentration for the final few minutes of this first-leg.

Dortmund are enjoying all the possession but have been unable to do much with it for the most part. Liverpool have numbers behind the ball and are making it difficult for the hosts to find any way through.

Final change for Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge is introduced for the final few minutes with Divock Origi making way. 

Sturridge embarks on a weaving run as he demonstrates good foot work but he tries to ride one challenge too many and is stopped in his tracks. It’s been a brilliant performance from the Reds at a ground which has become a real fortress for the home side.

Hummels’ equaliser just after half-time means the tie is evenly balanced.

Germany Soccer Europa League Martin Meissner Martin Meissner

Just two minutes plus injury time remaining. Liverpool have been comfortable up until this point and have been rarely stretched – and it’s the away fans who are singing loudest as we reach half-time in this tie.

Just two minutes of injury time in Dortmund. Liverpool very nearly there now.

Full-time! Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Liverpool 

Brilliant result for Liverpool and they were thoroughly-deserving of that result. A superb performance from the Reds in attack and defence and they’ve given themselves a real chance of progressing.

It’s half-time in the tie so there is still along way to go yet but Klopp’s men have done much of the hard work.

Thanks for joining us this evening and stay tuned for plenty more reaction.

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