Liverpool in charge after win at Hoffenheim

Liverpool moved a step closer to the Champions League group stage after they secured a priceless 2-1 win away to Hoffenheim in their play-off first leg.

Hoping for a return to European football's premier competition for the first time in three seasons, the Merseysiders knew that they had drawn one of the toughest possible opponents in the Bundesliga side.

And the home side began looking like they would live up to expectations as their movement and pace caused Liverpool problems early on, not allowing them to settle on the ball or into any rhythm.

They should have been rewarded for their flying start when after Dejan Lovren was penalised for tripping former Arsenal attacker Serge Gnabry.

However, from the resulting spot-kick Simon Mignolet did well to not commit himself and he was in the perfect position to easily bat away Andrej Kramaric's weak effort down the middle of the goal.

On 14 minutes Jurgen Klopp's side showed once again how threatening they can be on the counter attack when Mohamed Salah broke clear from just inside the Hoffenheim half, drove forward before shooting from just inside the box but his stabbed effort went just wide of the goal.

The visitors were ahead on nine minutes before the break when Trent Alexander-Arnold, on his European debut, curled a lovely free-kick into the bottom corner of the net, well out of reach of the goalkeeper.

While the Premier League club were increasingly dangerous going forward they continued to look shaky in defence, Joel Matip being easily brushed off the ball by Gnabry and Mignolet did well to block his strike on goal.

Not long after the restart, the outstanding Sadio Mane did brilliantly to beat his man and cross for Roberto Firmino but the Brazilian's shot was straight at the keeper; moments later the home side had a goal disallowed for an offside on Gnabry.

Liverpool took complete control of the tie on 74 minutes when substitute James Milner's cross was deflected over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

At that scoreline the tie was as good as over but in the closing stages Hoffenheim pressed hard for something to take to the second leg at Anfield and they were rewarded when Mark Uth did superbly, taking the ball down on his chest before drilling an unstoppable drive into the far corner.

In stoppage time, Benjamin Hubner had a golden chance to equalise but his free header was sent over Mignolet's crossbar.

Liverpool will be delighted with the victory and their attacking threat but they will be aware that Hoffenheim are capable of taking advantage of any defensive uncertainty on Wednesday week.

Liverpool's Champions League play-off matches against Hoffenheim are live on BT Sport on the eir Sport package.

The return leg at Anfield on Wednesday, 23 August will be shown live on BT Sport 2.

Image: Getty Images/John Powell

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