Liverpool beats TSG Hoffenheim in Champions League 1st leg

Liverpool FC advance to the next group stage of Champions League first playoff round by beating TSG Hoffenheim at Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim.

Thanks to the decisive effort of Simon Mignolet and Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Reds recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim.

Mignolet’s early penalty saves and Alexander-Arnold’s stunning 30-yard free kick in the first half was the key to a narrow win by Liverpool.

Liverpool doubled their advantage when Havard Nordtveit made an own goal which came from James Milner’s shot in the 74^th minute of the ball game.

On the other end, Mark Uth pulled one back late for Hoffenheim 3 minutes from time with his confident left-footed finish to cut the lead in just one.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was really satisfied with his side’s performances and praised Mignolet and the 18-year-old right back Alexander-Arnold.

“He is an incredible young player. I told him he had to take it — he can shoot free kicks better than I ever could. But I don’t want the credit for it! I have to say for an 18-year-old, who has the balls to take a free kick like that, is rather more exciting and interesting for me than a little mistake he makes. I told him to take it because I watched him many times for the Under-23s last season. He took the free kicks then and, by the way, the goal is the same size. There is a big challenge after training between him and Ben Woodburn. They are both good and both improving.” Klopp said in a news conference

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PHOTO CREDIT: Sports Yahoo