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As it happenedended1502829972

Hoffenheim vs Liverpool - as it happened: Reds beat German opponents 2-1 to close in on group stages

Re-live all the action from the Rhein-Neckar Arena

Jack Watson
Tuesday 15 August 2017 15:12 BST
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Mignolet saves a penalty from Hoffenheim's Kramaric
Mignolet saves a penalty from Hoffenheim's Kramaric

Liverpool take on Hoffenheim in tonight's Champions League first-leg qualifier as Jurgen Klopp's men bid to book their spot in the group stages of Europe's elite competition.

Follow the live action below...

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Preview

It’s a big game for…

Dejan Lovren. Liverpool’s defence has been heavily criticised this week after shipping three goals away to Watford on Saturday and Lovren, as the most experienced player in that backline, needs to show some leadership and organisational skills if the Reds are to avoid a similar fate here.

Liverpool’s summer-long pursuit of Virgil van Dijk has been public, messy and looks like it could still prove fruitless. A big performance from Lovren on Tuesday night would help assuage Liverpool fans’ fears that they can’t possibly cope this season without a new addition at the back.

Best stat…

Hoffenheim were unbeaten in all 17 home matches in the Bundesliga last season.

Remember when…

The last time Liverpool played a German team in European competition. A Europa League quarter-final tie against Jurgen Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund saw the Reds secure a 1-1 draw in the first-leg before winning a memorable encounter back at Anfield. Late goals from Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren saw Liverpool come back from two goals down to win 4-3 – and saw Klopp dumbfounded on the touchline…

Player to watch…

Serge Gnabry. The former Arsenal youngster was snapped up by Bayern Munich this summer after hitting 11 goals in 27 matches for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga last term. A technically-gifted winger with a sharp turn of pace and an eye for goal, Gnabry has been sent on loan to Hoffenheim for the season in order to get more first-team experience.

While the 22-year-old never quite showed his potential in England he will have an opportunity on Tuesday to show the Premier League what it’s missing. And, as he told Kicker magazine this week, he is up for the challenge: "If you come up against a former club or, in my case, return to England, there's definitely a bit more excitement in the pot.”

Predicted teams...

Hoffenheim (3-1-4-2): Baumann, Nordtveit, Vogt, Bicakcic, Polanski, Zuber, Demirbay, Amiri, Gnabry, Kramaric, Wagner

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet, Milner, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino

Form guide…

Hoffenheim: WDWLWD

Liverpool: DWWDWL

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 19:45 BST on Tuesday

TV: Live on BT Sport 2

Odds…

Hoffenheim: 12/5

Liverpool: 5/4

Draw: 11/4

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Good evening, the Champions League is back and Liverpool are two games away from the group stage. In their way is German side Hoffenheim who host the Reds at the Rhein-Neckar Arena in the first leg of the play-off.

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:02
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Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:05
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Jurgen Klopp has named an unchanged side from Saturday's 3-3 draw at Watford. No Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool who is out with a back injury, according to his manager...

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:08
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Here's how Hoffenheim line up. Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry starts for the hosts, he is currently on loan from Bayern Munich.

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:11
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All the pre-match talk is about a player who is not here: Coutinho. The Brazilian midfielder is subject to interest from Barcelona who have £198 million to spend.

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:18
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Owen Hargreaves on BT Sport on Hoffenheim's manager Julian Nagelsmann: "He's the star of the team he's only 30 years old. When he took over they were seven points adrift and to get them into the Champions League the following season is an incredible achievement."

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:25
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on BT Sport: "I can't remember the last not important football game. I spoke to my players, we deserve the chance tonight but nothing else. If we want more we have to perform."

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:31
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on BT Sport: "It was never easy to play here. It's a 50-50 game."

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:33
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Steven Gerrard on BT Sport on Liverpool's zonal marking: "Last season the issues were there as well so they might have to try something different."

Will we see the same failings at the back from Liverpool again, or will Klopp have addressed their weakness at defending set piece?

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:36
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The players are out and that wonderful Champions League anthem sounds around the stadium, kick off is imminent.

Jack Watson15 August 2017 19:44

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