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. Fake Air Max 97 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 Fake Air Max For Sale . Maria Silvia Bastos Marques, president of the EOM (Municipal Olympic Company), will be leaving her post but will remain as an advisor, a city hall statement said Tuesday. Cheap Air Max 720 Uk . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points, nine rebounds and six steals to lead the Sacramento Kings to their third straight preseason win, a 107-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. http://www.fakeairmaxukoutlet.com/best-max-720-trainers-cheap-uk.html . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts.DALLAS -- Monta Ellis figures the Dallas Mavericks are better off mentally than the last time they played a Western Conference contender. Armed with three straight wins against losing teams and their best record in almost two years, the Mavericks have to get ready for three games against playoff-worthy foes in the West. Ellis scored 21 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 15 and the Mavericks beat Orlando 107-88 Monday night, extending the Magics longest skid of the season to eight games. The Mavericks bounced back from a blowout loss to defending West champion San Antonio and now get set for a trip to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, less than two weeks after blowing a late lead after Chris Paul left with a shoulder injury that still has him sidelined. "I think our mindset is different heading into this game on a three-game winning streak," said Ellis, who scored 14 in the first half to help build an 18-point lead that withstood a few challenges after halftime. "Hopefully we continue with it." Jameer Nelson scored 21 and Glen Davis added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Magic, who got swept on a swing through five Western Conference cities and lost by an average of 20 points. "Im disappointed that it didnt go the way we felt it should have went or could have went, but at the same time we get the opportunity to go home, see our families, sleep in our bed," Nelson said. "You get to play in front of your home fans." The Mavericks (23-16) moved seven games over .500 for the first time since the end of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season -- the year after they won the franchises first championship. Nowitzki did most of his damage in the first half with 10 points, two nights after scoring 20 in the third quarter on his way to a season-high 40 against New Orleans. Vince Carter, who had 17 points, was 3 of 4 from 3-point range and had consecutive 2-point baskets in an 8-0 run that finally put Orlando away in the fourth quarter. The spurt included a long pass from Jae Crowder to Brandann Wright for a dunk that put Dallas up 97-82. Discount Air Max Uk. Orlando was playing its second straight game without leading scorer Arron Afflalo (strained right foot) and starting centre Nik Vucevic, who was back in Florida after sustaining a concussion at the Clippers in the opener of the long road trip. "This is a team that is depleted because of injuries and stuff, but theyre an NBA team," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "They made a couple of runs at us. We did a good job of getting the lead back up in the game." Jose Calderon scored 13, including a 3 at the shot-clock buzzer that gave the Mavericks their biggest lead of the first half at 58-36. The shot came after Ellis missed badly on a wild layup, but Wayne Ellington grabbed one of his season-high seven rebounds and found Calderon beyond the arc. Nelson played despite injuring a finger in a loss at Denver two nights earlier and had seven assists The veteran guards supporting cast tried to keep the game close early in the second half, with Davis scoring the first six Orlando points after halftime as part of a 21-5 run that got the Magic to 63-57. Davis scored 12 during the run. "I was being more aggressive," Davis said. "I had nothing to lose. I ended up making a nice run and kind of getting the game under control a little bit. They just came back and made another run." Calderon hit another 3-pointer to get the Dallas lead back to 13, and Ellis pulled up from long range with the shot clock running down to finish a 12-0 spurt that put the Mavericks up 75-57. Ellington had a season-high 12 points. NOTES: Mavericks F Shawn Marion sat out again with shoulder and rib injuries, and rookie point guard Shane Larkin was sidelined with a right ankle injury sustained Saturday against the Pelicans. ... Magic F Maurice Harkless played despite a sore right knee and had 13 points and seven rebounds. ... Nowitzki became the 24th player in NBA history with 1,400 3-pointers on a shot that put Dallas up 84-64 late in the third quarter. ' ' '