Liverpool striker Divock Origi fully justified his manager’s faith with a vital away goal against Borussia Dortmund and a 1-1 on Jurgen Klopp’s homecoming kept everyone happy after yesterday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg tie.

The focus on Klopp could hardly have been greater on his first return to Signal Iduna Park after leaving in May so it was difficult for the scrutiny to increase with his decision to start with the Belgian 20-year-old in place of his number-one striker Daniel Sturridge.

But the German is not afraid of making the big calls and this one paid off as Origi scored his first goal since February and the most important in his short Liverpool career to date.

Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels’ header just after half-time gave the hosts a draw which, on balance, they deserved but a composed, controlled European away performance for Liverpool has given them hope of progressing at Anfield next week against a side Klopp rates as among the top five in the world.

Shakhtar Donetsk soaked up pressure from Braga and then scored in either half to take a 2-1 away win in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Braga had the best of the first period, but Shakhtar went ahead against the run of play just before half-time through Yaroslav Rakitskiy, who was an injury doubt before the match.

The second period at the Estadio Municipal de Braga proved more equal in terms of chances, and the visitors again took one of theirs, this time through Facundo Ferreyra.

Although substitute Wilson Eduardo pulled a goal back late on, Braga will have their work cut out to turn the tie around in next Thursday’s second leg in Ukraine.

Substitute Vicente Iborra struck seven minutes from time to keep Sevilla on course for a third straight UEFA Europa League title after a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.

The visitors fell behind to an Aritz Aduriz opener but a quick equaliser from Timothee Kolo-dziejczak and then Iborra’s late winner gave Unai Emery’s men the advantage heading into their quarter-final second leg next week.

Villarreal, the third Spanish side in the last eight of the competition, also enjoyed a winning night when they beat Sparta Prague 2-1.

Cedric Bakambu gave the hosts a flying start when putting them ahead after three minutes but Sparta drew level on the stroke of half-time through Jakub Brabec.

But Bakambu restored Villarreal’s lead with a second goal on 63 minutes to boost his team’s hopes of a semi-final berth.

Quarter-finals – first legs

Played Yesterday

Braga (Portugal) vs Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 1-2
Villarreal (Spain) vs Sparta Prague (Czech Rep.) 2-1
Athletic Bilbao (Spain) vs Sevilla (Spain) 1-2
Bor. Dortmund (Germany) vs Liverpool (England) 1-1

Second legs: April 14.