Divock Origi scored the goal and Jurgen Klopp took the applause, but it was the efforts of Liverpool’s much-maligned defensive figures that stood out in their 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund, writes Adam Bate. Air Max Wholesale Uk . Get the popcorn out. That was the mood as Liverpools supposedly calamitous defence prepared to take on one of the strongest forward lines in Europe. Even Reds fans were fraught with trepidation. As it was, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and the rest stood firm amid the cauldron of noise that is the Westfalenstadion to give Liverpool genuine hope of progression to a Europa League semi-final. Reds earn Dortmund draw Liverpool drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund in their Europa League quarter-final first leg. In truth, the concern for what lay in wait was not without justification. Speedy striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has 36 goals to his name so far this season with Marco Reus and Henrik Mhkitaryan bringing the poise, purpose and invention in support. Between them the trio have 43 goals in the Bundesliga alone and more than 60 in all competitions. Ostensibly, this was a mismatch. Jurgen Klopp had an emotion-filled night at old club Borussia Dortmund But there was Sakho, popping up with an incredible block from Mhkitaryan as the Dortmund player appeared ready to pounce. There was Lovren sweeping across to cover and intercept Aubameyangs goal-bound shot from the right channel. There was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, advancing to flick the ball from Reuss path as he prepared to tap home. And this was just in the first half.Thanks to Divock Origis opener, Liverpool led at half-time and the fans whod readied themselves to watch every Dortmund attack from the gaps between their fingers, fearing that the shared rendition of Youll Never Walk Alone and mutual love-in for Jurgen Klopp would be as good as it got, began to believe. The home side equalised soon after, but Liverpools defence were just warming to the task. Lovrens clearances Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren made eight clearances, three more than anyone else on the pitch. It was never entirely convincing. In the moments before Mats Hummels levelled things up, Sakho inexplicably measured a pass into his opponents path. Twice Lovren was forced to cover for his centre-back partner and just when it appeared that he was the more assured of the two men, the Croatian hurriedly smashed a clearance against Nathaniel Clyne. But that, it seems, is how they roll.Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher referred to the pair as excellent and whether by luck or by judgement - Liverpool fans are long past caring - they got the job done. The moment that summed it up best perhaps came when Reus attempted to dink the ball beyond Sakho only for the defender to throw his head in the way. It lacked the grace of Hummels but, on the night, it was more effective. Sakhos blocks Mamadou Sakho was the only player on the pitch to make three blocks. And then came the confirmation of their personal triumph. Anyone whod envisioned Aubameyang being withdrawn with a quarter of an hour to go, might have anticipated its purpose being to reward the forward with a warm applause from the crowd. Perhaps it would be a rest so he could ready himself to receive the match-ball. Instead it was tactical. Hed been seen off by Sakho and Lovren.For all his improvement this season, this was another step up for Lovren and he delivered. Sakho had struggled against Tottenham as recently as Saturday but also justified his managers support. This was a reminder that these are defenders capable of repelling the best. Its reliability not capability that they are seeking to add to their armoury. Sakho received some attention from Klopp at the final whistle after a fine effort According to Opta, no team in the country has made more errors leading to shots than Liverpool this season. Lovren himself topped that particular chart for individual mistakes last season. But this was a night to reward his own advances and the mental resilience that both men have shown. Together with Mignolet, the three players have helped to give Liverpool a fighting chance at Anfield.Nobody is doubting that Klopp has work to do in reshaping this Liverpool side in the summer and the defence is certain to be on his list of priorities. But thats for another day. Before all that, theres a trophy to contest, moments to enjoy and a proud European history on which to build. Four more performances like this one and we really will have an against-the-odds redemption tale to enjoy. Also See: Liverpool draw in Dortmund As it happened Cheap Air Max 200 . -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has a broken bone below his right eye after being struck by a bad-hop grounder, sidelining the star slugger for at least a week with opening day on deck. Cheap Air Max 97 Uk . With the Canadiens leading by one to start the third period, Price turned away 16 shots by the Panthers in the final frame to give Montreal a 2-1 victory over Florida on Monday night. The Panthers (16-21-6) outshot Montreal 16-10 in the final frame, but were repeatedly frustrated by Price, who made 26 saves on the night. http://www.fakeairmaxukoutlet.com/best-max-270-trainers-cheap-uk.html .28 mph. Logano will start on the front row next to Penske Ford teammate Brad Keselowski, who came in second Friday at 193.099. The Penske drivers swept the top two spots for the second straight race, reversing their qualifying finish in Phoenix a week ago.LOS ANGELES -- Although the Spurs and the Lakers hadnt played a game without Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant on the court in 17 years, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili havent gone anywhere. And even without Duncan, San Antonio is still doing the same boring stuff with the same stellar results. Parker had 24 points and six assists, Kawhi Leonard added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and the Spurs survived without Duncan for a 91-85 victory over Los Angeles on Friday night. Duncan sat out after bruising his chest in Wednesdays season-opening victory over Memphis, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich promised his defending Western Conference champions would do the "same boring stuff" even without their franchise cornerstone since 1997. Thats exactly what the Spurs did, recovering from an early 15-point deficit and executing well in the final minutes while the new-look Lakers faltered against the club that swept them out of the first round of last springs playoffs. "We had a rough start, but in the second half we played a lot better," said Parker, who went 12 for 18 and made just one turnover in nearly 36 minutes of play. "Every road win is sweet, so well take it." Parker hit the tiebreaking jumper with 2:13 to play, and Ginobili capped his 20-point performance off the bench with a key defensive play and a dunk in the final seconds of the Spurs road opener. Boris Diaw hit a key 3-pointer with 1:40 to play and scored 14 points while starting in Duncans place. "We only know how to play one way, and thats what we do," Popovich said. "We didnt do anything different. We just ran what we always run, whether (Duncan) is there or not. If Tony was out or Manu was out, we run our same stuff." Pau Gasol had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who finished their season-opening string of three games in four days with two losses after their season-opening win over the Clippers. After San Antonio erased their early deficit, the teams traded 14 lead changes in a tense fourth quarter. Parker put the Spurs ahead to stay, and Tiago Splitter made an impressive tip-in with 1:10 left to cap a 9-1 Spurs run. "There was a lot better execution on their part," Gasol said. "They made a couple of big shots, and we didnt counter. Diaw played very well down the stretch." Kobe Bryant sat out for the Lakers, and is still weeks away from a return after tearing his Achilles tenddon in April. Cheap Nike Air Max Outlet. The Lakers and Spurs played the first game between the perennial Western Conference powers without either Duncan or Bryant on the court since November 1996, when Bryant was a rookie and Duncan was at Wake Forest. Jodie Meeks scored 14 points and Wes Johnson added 12 for the Lakers. Steve Nash had five points on 1-for-8 shooting and five assists in his return after sitting out Wednesdays game at Golden State in a bid to rest the 39-year-old point guard during back-to-backs. "Its frustrating, because this was a winnable game," Nash said. Los Angeles trimmed the Spurs lead to 87-83 in the final minute, and Diaw missed two free throws. But Ginobili stripped the ball from Meeks on the way to the basket and then dunked on the other end with 11 seconds left to seal it. "We let this one get away from us," Lakers coach Mike DAntoni said. "I thought this was one we could have got, especially without Duncan. It was set up for us. We didnt do it. You need to start defending your turf, then learn how to win on the road." The Spurs started slowly without Duncan, missing 10 of their first 12 shots and falling behind 33-18 early in the second quarter. Parker got San Antonio rolling with a 15-2 run, erasing most of that lead in 3 1/2 minutes. Ginobilis 3-pointer put the Spurs ahead with the first basket of the second half, but the Lakers kept it close before the back-and-forth final quarter, which featured 10 lead changes in the first 6 minutes alone. "I think we know each other, but we definitely need a little more time," said Jordan Farmar, who had seven points. "Were out there competing, trying to get it done. We didnt do much in the fourth quarter this time around, and its tough. Its a work in progress. Its a long season, and theres going to be growing pains until we find our groove." NOTES: The Spurs arent sure when Duncan will be back. San Antonio has two more games on its trip, including Saturday night in Portland. ... Xavier Henry had three points for Los Angeles on 0-for-6 shooting. He also got a 2-inch cut on his forehead in the second quarter when Johnson accidentally kicked him. Henry hit two free throws before heading to the locker room for nine stitches. He returned for the second half. ... Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis, Andy Garcia, Jamaal Wilkes and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer attended the game. ' ' '