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BERLIN. — Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are far from certain of a Champions League soccer group stage berth despite their 2-1 win at Hoffenheim on Tuesday night in their play-off, first-leg.
The result in south-west Germany leaves Klopp’s Liverpool in pole position ahead of the return at Anfield next Wednesday. After goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had saved a first-half penalty, 18-year-old defender Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a free-kick to give Liverpool the lead.
Ex-England forward James Milner made sure of victory by curling in a cross-cum-shot, which dropped inside the far post on 75 minutes after deflecting off Havard Nordtveit for an own goal.
However, Hoffenheim pulled a goal back when replacement Mark Uth managed to beat the offside trap to score late on to give the Germans hope.
“I am happy with the performance, we’d have liked to have won 2-0 and the goal they scored just before the end isn’t so favourable for us,” said Klopp. “We could have scored one or two more goals and we need Anfield in the return leg.
“This thing isn’t over yet.” Liverpool’s want-away attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho sat out the play-off with a back injury. The Brazilian is desperate to leave Anfield for Barcelona after handing in a transfer request, but Liverpool insist he is not for sale.
Belgium goalkeeper Mignolet saved an early first-half penalty to deny hosts Hoffenheim an early lead in Sinsheim. When Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren brought down Germany winger Serge Gnabry, Hoffenheim’s ex-Leicester City striker Andrej Kramaric stepped up for the spot kick.
The Hoffenheim forward squandered the golden chance, weakly firing his 11th minute spot-kick at Mignolet.
At the other end, Liverpool’s Egypt striker Mohamed Salah fired just wide of the post on 15 minutes after sprinting clear and beating Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. — AFP.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter