Liverpool vs Hoffenheim – UEFA Champions League – Preview

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Sreya

Liverpool vs Hoffenheim – Liverpool host Hoffenheim at the Anfield in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifying play-off.

Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 courtesy goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Havard Nordveidt (own goal). Hoffenheim won their opening Bundesliga game 1-0 while Liverpool won 1-0 against Crystal Palace in their last game.

The European sports media is still speculating about Philippe Coutinho’s potential move to Barcelona while Liverpool have rejected a third bid from the Catalan club.

Team News

Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Ings are sidelined through injuries while Philippe Coutinho is ill. Hoffenheim’s only injury concern is Kevin Akpoguma.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Andrew Robertson, Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.

Hoffenheim Possible Starting Lineup: Oliver Baumann, Havard Nordtveit, Kevin Vogt, Benjamin Hubner, Jeremy Toljan, Kerem Demirbay, Eugen Polanski, Nadiem Amiri, Nico Schulz, Sandro Wagner, Andrej Kamaric.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“The main difference between last week and this is everyone knows the quality of Hoffenheim. I knew before but a lot of people in England didn’t expect the quality of Hoffenheim. It is half-time – we have to adjust things.”

– Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool.

“We’re not in awe of this place. Anticipation is the right word. Anfield has seen many great games. We go into the game full of confidence and we firmly believe that we can do it.”

– Julian Nagelsmann, Hoffenheim.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Liverpool vs Hoffenheim H2H Stats, the only previous encounter between these two clubs came last week, which the English club won.

Liverpool have never lost at home to German opposition, winning eleven of their previous fourteen matches. In fact, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine European home games, their last loss coming to Real Madrid back in 2014.

It will be a closely contested affair, but Liverpool are expected to win 1-0.