Borussia Dortmund vs. Liverpool: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League, Leg 1

Mats Hummels ensured Jurgen Klopp didn't quite enjoy a perfect return to Borussia Dortmund by heading in a second-half equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool at the Westfalenstadion on Thursday night.

But Klopp will still be more than happy with the away goal young striker Divock Origi snatched for the Reds before the break. It leaves the balanced tie favouring Klopp's new team, with his old club now forced to chase the game during next week's second leg at Anfield.

Dortmund inserted holding midfielder Sven Bender into a central defensive berth alongside Hummels. But the Bundesliga side could still rely on cheetah-fast attacking duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus.

The competition's official site detailed the home side's starting XI:

Without Roberto Firmino to lead the line, Klopp relied on 20-year-old Origi to spearhead Liverpool's attack instead of Daniel Sturridge, per the club:

Predictably, there was plenty of pressing early on from two teams never short on energy. Tough tackling was also the order of the opening exchanges, evidenced by Liverpool's Emre Can receiving an early booking for bundling over Dortmund's Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Just prior to the award of that yellow card, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet chanced his luck in possession and narrowly avoiding being made to pay by the always dangerous Aubameyang.

Liverpool Gifs relayed highlights of the early scare for the Reds:

"

Simon Mignolet..... #BVBLFC pic.twitter.com/TL3R3TMLJm

— Liverpool Gifs (@LiverpoolGifs) April 7, 2016"

Soon after, Hummels tried to release Mkhitaryan with a long ball over the top, but the crafty No. 10 couldn't quite reel it in. Still, the nearly move was a sign of Dortmund's variety in attack, as well as the speed with which they were shifting the ball, long or short.

Mkhitaryan was nearly in again moments later. It took a terrific lunging block from centre-back Mamadou Sakho to deny his low drive in the box.

Despite Dortmund's threat, the best chance of the early action went to the visitors. Centre-back Dejan Lovren ought to have burst the net when he met James Milner's free-kick with a powerful, close-range header.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

That chance seemed to cause a wobble in Dortmund's ranks, as Liverpool were able to settle into a comfortable, cagey pattern of play.

Their patience and discipline was rewarded with less than 10 minutes left in the half. That's when Origi pounced, finishing with calmness and class after a smart header on by the industrious Milner.

Press Association reporter Carl Markham had singled out Origi's threat earlier and felt the manager deserved some credit for his effectiveness:

In stoppage time, Lovren made up for his miss with a fantastic tackle to thwart Aubameyang after Mkhitaryan had slipped a typically astute pass between the lines. Mignolet then had to tip over the bar after Reus nearly pounced.

Frantic exchanges then saw Origi put through right on the half-time whistle, but the young Belgian couldn't convert.

Still, Liverpool had a deserved lead at the break, and Squawka was clear about who the real credit belonged to:

Meanwhile, one key statistic from WhoScored.com showed how well Liverpool's pragmatic and destructive approach had worked:

But all Liverpool's good work to that point was undone within three minutes of the restart when Hummels headed home a Mkhitaryan corner. 

Despite the equaliser, Dortmund needed 35-year-old goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller to deny a host of Liverpool chances. He produced an excellent stop to turn away Adam Lallana's shot, while Philippe Coutinho and Nathaniel Clyne were then almost instantly frustrated by the veteran stopper.

DW Sports aptly summed up the flurry of activity in the Dortmund goal:

After that intense back-and-forth, the game settled into a more steady pattern.

Reus went close from a free-kick, but Liverpool's disciplined positioning consistently closed off space for Dortmund in open play.

Perhaps looking to surprise Klopp, current Dortmund chief Thomas Tuchel substituted 36-goal striker Aubameyang for 17-year-old Christian Pulisic. Klopp responded seconds later by turning attacking talisman Roberto Firmino loose after the Brazilian had missed time through injury.

Despite the changes, Liverpool stayed compact and assured, using the ball well and not giving any chances away.

The draw is a fine result for Klopp's team on his old turf. Heavily fancied Dortmund now have their work cut out overcoming a very disciplined Liverpool outfit back on Merseyside, a view supported by these ominous facts from DW Sports:

Post-Match Reaction

Klopp was diplomatic after the game, stressing he still anticipates a very tough test in the return leg, per Joscha Weber of DW Sports:

Meanwhile, Dortmund boss Tuchel bemoaned an off night from his team, according to the Liverpool Echo:

Tuchel should hope this result offers a wake-up call to his fancied squad they won't get things all their own way in this competition. As for Liverpool, this match proved that while Klopp has struggled to improve the club's fortunes in the Premier League, he could still provide ample consolation by winning European silverware.