Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick and an own goal from Havard Nordtveit were enough for Liverpool to secure a 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.
Substitute Mark Uth pulled a goal back for the Bundesliga side late on, but Jurgen Klopp’s men held on to take a narrow lead into next week’s return fixture at Anfield.
Below are four talking points from the game at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
1. Liverpool win set-piece battle… but only just
Much has been made of the Reds’ set-piece issues, which were again highlighted by two concessions from corners in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Watford. Having scored more goals from dead-ball situations than any other Bundesliga outfit last term, Hoffenheim were presumably licking their lips heading into Tuesday’s clash.
In the end, though, it was Liverpool who enjoyed set-play dominance. Former Leicester City forward Andrej Kramaric missed a penalty in the 12th minute, before Alexander-Arnold struck a sweet free-kick into the bottom corner later in the first half. Even Liverpool’s second goal, a James Milner cross which was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Nordtveit, came from a quickly-taken free-kick in the centre of the park.
It was not all plain sailing for the visitors, however. The first sign of set-piece vulnerability came early on, when a scrambling Dejan Lovren was fortunate to see the ball ricochet off his head and into the arms of Simon Mignolet after a terrific delivery from Kerem Demirbay. The 24-year-old’s crosses were on the money all evening and, as well as almost being caught out on two separate occasions when Hoffenheim took free-kicks quickly, Liverpool were extremely lucky not to concede in the dying stages, when Benjamin Hubner was allowed a free header just a few yards out.
2. Salah adds to Reds’ counter-attacking threat
When Mane got injured and then departed for the Africa Cup of Nations last season, Liverpool were not the same. The Senegal international’s speed and direct running were essential to his side’s game plan, and the Merseysiders’ form duly dipped when he was absent.
Klopp clearly noted his team’s reliance on Mane and addressed the issue early in the transfer window, signing Salah from Roma in June. Liverpool now carry a twin counter-attacking threat, and the duo’s pace certainly helped on Tuesday evening. It was Mane who won the free-kick from which Alexander-Arnold brilliantly gave the visitors the lead, while Salah should have done better with a one-on-one chance earlier in the half after racing clear to take advantage of Hoffenheim’s high defensive line.
The early signs are positive, though, with the Egyptian likely to give numerous defenders a headache in the weeks and months to come.
3. Wagner and Gnabry provide complementary threats
Hoffenheim certainly deserved their late goal and, for much of the game, they looked the more dangerous team. Sandro Wagner proved a handful for Lovren and Joel Matip with his strength and hold-up play, while Serge Gnabry – the ex-Arsenal attacker who is currently on loan from Bayern Munich – caught the eye with his speed and trickery. Indeed, it was he who drew the penalty from Lovren in the opening stages, after Alberto Moreno was caught hopelessly out of position.
Hoffenheim certainly showed enough going forward to give Klopp food for thought ahead of the second leg. Liverpool’s advantage is a slender one and in Wagner and Gnabry, who scored a combined 22 goals in the Bundesliga last time out, die Kraichgauer have the players to overturn their deficit at Anfield.
4. Alexander-Arnold impresses in Champions League debut
Alexander-Arnold has looked promising in his first-team outings up to now, but no-one expected him to open the scoring in such spectacular fashion. The goal was not the only impressive thing about the teenager’s performance, though: the Liverpool academy graduate looked defensively assured and also provided a threat going forward in what was a well-rounded display.
Nathaniel Clyne is currently sidelined with injury, but the ex-Southampton and Crystal Palace man may have a fight on his hands for the starting right-back spot once he returns to fitness.
