Liverpool carry a slender but important lead going into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff against Hoffenheim at Anfield. We won 2-1 away in Germany a week ago and as long as we avoid a reverse of the score line or a defeat by two goals, we will make it to the group stages of the competition.
While the Germans picked up a win in their previous match in the Bundesliga, we too got our first win in the Premier League, thanks to a 1-0 victory over a resilient Crystal Palace side.
There is a lot of history on our side as we have never lost to German sides at home, with 11 wins and three draws from the 14 matches played. Hoffenheim, for their part, are only playing their second ever European game and will look to cause an upset against us.
Team News
There were a number of changes in the first-team against Palace as Klopp looked to rest a few players. Mohamed Salah came off the bench and should start against the German side, while Dejan Lovren was rested and should replace Ragnar Klavan.
The tough decision would be to conclude who starts as the left-back, as Andrew Robertson looked really good in the match against Palace. But Alberto Moreno played in the away leg and could be given another run.
Trent Alexander-Arnold should also return to the side and will look to repeat his heroics from the previous leg when he scored a sumptuous free-kick to give us the lead.
Daniel Sturridge should be shifted to the bench, with the front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah looking to break the resilience of Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
Confirmed #LFC matchday squad to face @achtzehn99 pic.twitter.com/BBhm2dnyig
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2017
#LFC substitutes v @achtzehn99: Karius, Klavan, Gomez, Milner, Solanke, Robertson, Sturridge.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2017
Prediction
Firmino could hold the key as the former Hoffenheim man might want to put on a masterclass against his former employers.
Should we start strong and play our natural game, a win should be easy but if the Germans start brightly, we would be in for a nervous night.
https://youtu.be/C_idUnnTKms
