Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted that he has no explanation for his side's thrilling 4-3 defeat at the hands of Liverpool this evening.

Dortmund appeared to be heading for the semi-finals of the Europa League when they raced into a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes at Anfield, but the hosts fought back and eventually clinched a dramatic victory in the 91st minute.

Tuchel acknowledged that Liverpool's third goal on the night left the home side almost destined to progress, and offered his congratulations to the Reds for getting through.

"I can't explain it, it was not logical. It was very emotional. At the end at 3-3 everyone here believed it was meant to be, it was destiny," Tuchel is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"If you have such a strong belief then things can happen. We had a goal and we have not achieved it. Sport is about winning and we did not make it.

"You have to accept it and be an honourable loser so congratulations to Liverpool. You have to take defeat like a champion."

The defeat is Dortmund's first in 2016, ending an 18-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.