Friday 8 April 2016 15:03, UK
Jurgen Klopp took full responsibility for Liverpool's marking after Mats Hummels' header secured a 1-1 draw for Borussia Dortmund in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.
A superb finish from Liverpool striker Divock Origi was cancelled out by a bullet header from Dortmund captain Hummels on Thursday night.
And while the away goal favours the English side ahead of the return at Anfield in a week's time, Klopp apologised after Adam Lallana was left marking Hummels at the set-piece for Dortmund's equaliser.
"Things could have gone worse and all in all it was good a good result from our perspective," Klopp said. "Around the time we went 1-0 up, we really showed what we can do.
"Then a set-piece. Yes that's how it is in football - a fault for all of us. I decided to have Adam Lallana in this position instead of Origi, so sorry for this.
"But we were still in the game and our really big chances after, it really fell into an almost perfect performance."
Origi fully justified Klopp's decision to include him at the expense of Daniel Sturridge but the Reds boss said it was a fairly straightforward decision which fitted his game-plan.
"I don't really understand questions like this because you have to try to imagine where you can have some small advantages and that's what we did - it was nothing about Daniel," he added.
"He has played the last games, it is completely normal. I know people say things about me taking him from the pitch after 60 minutes but it is completely normal and now he is fresh for the game against Stoke.
"When Daniel came on he immediately had a brilliant moment, it was outstanding, so you could see the impact he had and I cannot say we played better with Divock ahead of Daniel.
"It was not too brave to put Divock to be honest. He has had no rhythm because of injuries. He is a young lad and we have to work with him.
"Divock was made for this game with the space he can make and how he can hold the ball."
The result ensured that both sets of fans did not go home disappointed on Klopp's return to the club he left in May after seven years.
"Of course this was an unusual situation with everything around the game, it was different than we were used to," he continued.
"There was applause which I took for me and I made a small gesture in return. The people here are very special and I felt good coming back, it's a special place to come to.
"I am satisfied with a lot of parts of the game, the organisation was good, we were brave, organised disciplined, everything good.
"I think we saw the game is still 50:50 and Dortmund don't care too much about where they are playing or where they score a goal.
"They are still a very strong team but people thought a lot about our possible performance so they are perhaps a little surprised now.
"An away goal is really good, 100 per cent better than a 0-0."
