Late chance for Grujic! Liverpool are presented with one final opportunity to try and find a third goal, but Grujic's curling shot from 20 yards out is well saved by the fingertips of Baumann.
90' +3
Big block by Grujic! Demirbay picks up the ball just outside of the Liverpool penalty area and immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot. It looks set to test Mignolet, but Grujic dives in the way to stop it from doing so.
90' +1
Free header for Hubner! Hoffenheim are presented with a late opportunity to launch the ball into the penalty area from a free-kick. It's curled in beautifully and picks out Hubner all alone, but, somehow, he ends up sending his close-range header over the top of the crossbar.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
M. Grujić enters the game and replaces S. Mané.
Vital touch by Alexander-Arnold! Another dangerous lofted pass into the box causes all sorts of problems for Liverpool, but Alexander-Arnold is just about able to get a head on it before Wagner can meet it at the far post.
88'
Liverpool have made their final substitution, with Mane making way for Marko Grujic.
87'
M. Uth has scored a goal for Hoffenheim! Assist by H. Nordtveit.
Nordtveit may have conceded an own-goal but that ball up to Uth was exquisite. He picked out Uth perfectly and set up the striker to get his side back into the contest.
GOAL! Hoffenheim have pulled one back! Nordtveit launches a beautiful lofted pass over the top of the Liverpool back line and towards Uth. The striker chests the ball down and quickly shoots, and his strike nestles into the bottom right-hand corner of the net after leaving Mignolet with no chance.
86'
Another attempted Hoffenheim attacking move fails to come to anything and allows Liverpool to push forward quickly, but Wijnaldum's pass over to the left wing is poor and sails harmlessly out of play for a throw-in.
85'
Solanke is almost immediately presented with an opportunity to further Liverpool's lead after making a good run towards goal, but the cross towards the youngster is slightly overhit and fails to find him.
84'
D. Solanke enters the game and replaces Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool have made a late substitution, with Dominic Solanke coming on to replace Firmino.
Minute
Description
83'
And now Mane goes close! Liverpool break quickly and Salah does well to pick out Mane on the edge of the penalty area, but, off balance, the Senegal international can't hit the target and sends his first-time shot wide of the near post.
82'
Thumping strike by Amiri! Hoffenheim are finally able to carve out a chance on goal for themselves that falls to the substitute, but his bouncing half-volley is well saved by Mignolet, who dives quickly and punches the ball away from danger.
80'
Firmino picks up the ball on the left-hand side of the Hoffenheim penalty area, and he's quickly closed down by blue shirts. He does well to get past all of them before crossing, but Baumann is able to hold on to the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.
78'
Liverpool patiently work the ball around as they try to keep hold of possession inside the Hoffenheim half of the pitch, but Zuber is eventually able to win back the ball for his side before trying to kick-start a quick attack.
76'
B. Hübner gets yellow.
More poor defending almost causes problems for Hoffenheim as Liverpool break quickly, but Hubner ends up committing a cynical challenge to stop them from doing so, and it earns him a yellow card.
74'
H. Nordtveit is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOAL! Liverpool have doubled their lead! Hoffenheim have started to tire over the last 10 minutes, and it's shown at the back. Milner is left in acres of space over on the left wing after Liverpool counter-attack quickly, and he's able to fire a curling strike off the chest of Nordtveit and into the top right-hand corner of the net.
72'
Huge opportunity for Lovren! A lovely corner from Alexander-Arnold is curled into the heart of the Hoffenheim penalty area and finds Lovren, who does really well to meet it. The centre-back rises high and tests Baumann with a downward header, but, once again, the goalkeeper comes out on top.
71'
Hoffenheim have made their third and final alteration, with Mark Uth coming on to take the place of Gnabry.
70'
M. Uth enters the game and replaces S. Gnabry.
Nervy moments at the back for Hoffenheim! A poor pass from Hubner can only find Can, who quickly sets up Salah to plough forward. The Egyptian does so and then shoots, and his low strike is well stopped by Baumann at the near post.
68'
Moreno, who has spent most of the second half deep inside his own half of the pitch, does well to keep the ball in play over on the left wing before firing a low cross into the box, but it's sent too near to Baumann and is easily stopped.
67'
After a period on the back foot, Liverpool are able to break out of their own half of the pitch and into a decent position. Alexander-Arnold flies towards the box before taking on Benjamin Hubner, who seems to foul the youngster but gets away with a slightly mis-timed sliding tackle.
65'
A Hoffenheim corner is just dealt with by Liverpool, resulting in another for the home side. The second swings into the box and almost finds a blue shirt, but this time it's Can who is just about able to get a head on the ball.
64'
A Hoffenheim free-kick is quickly knocked into the right-hand side of the Liverpool penalty area and towards Kaderabek. The wing-back is all alone and immediately whips a cross over to the far post, where Gnabry rises high but can't get the better of Matip.
63'
J. Milner enters the game and replaces J. Henderson.
Liverpool have made their first change of the game, with James Milner coming on to replace Henderson.
62'
Salah does really well to tee up Can on the edge of the Hoffenheim penalty area and sets up the German to work the ball over to Firmino. He's unable to do so though, as his first-time pass into the box is overhit and can only find Baumann.
60'
There's an initially moment of worry for Hoffenheim as Nordtveit stays down after tangling with Mane, but, after receiving medical attention for a few moments, the Norwegian is able to continue.
59'
Can and Alexander-Arnold link up well after plenty of space is left available over on the right flank. The youngster takes a quick touch and then tries to pick out Firmino in front of goal, but his low cross is sent slightly too near to Baumann and the goalkeeper can easily deal with the danger.
57'
A long ball forward fails to find a blue shirt and allows Liverpool to counter-attack quickly. They initially break away well thanks to good play from Salah, but Can is closed down in the middle of the pitch and eventually loses the ball.
55'
T. Alexander-Arnold gets yellow.
Hoffenheim have upped the tempo, and it seems to be causing plenty of problems for the under-pressure Liverpool back line. Alexander-Arnold gives away a throw-in and then complains about the decision, resulting in him receiving the latest booking.
53'
N. Amiri enters the game and replaces L. Rupp.
Hoffenheim have made another change, with Rupp making way for Nadiem Amiri.
Nordtveit is almost presented with an immediate opportunity to test Mignolet from a corner, but the cross into the penalty area ends up flying just a yard or so over the head of the Norwegian.
52'
H. Nordtveit enters the game and replaces E. Bičakčić.
Hoffenheim have made their first substitution of the evening, with Havard Nordtveit coming on to replace Bicakcic.
51'
E. Can gets yellow.
Demirbay bursts down the right flank as he tries to kick-start a swift counter-attack for the home side, but he's cynically brought down from behind by Can and the Liverpool midfielder ends up being shown a yellow card.
50'
A curling cross from Alexander-Arnold is sent slightly too deep and can't pick out a team-mate inside the penalty area, but Mane picks it up over on the left wing. The Senegal international quickly cuts into the box and shoots, but, once again, Baumann is able to save the effort.
49'
Gnabry scores, but it's ruled out! A pass up to the Liverpool box isn't dealt with by Lovren and allows Rupp to set up Gnabry. The former Arsenal forward breaks into the penalty area and then beats Mignolet at the near post, but as soon as the ball hits the back of the net, the linesman's flag is rightly raised.
47'
What a chance for Roberto Firmino! Mane easily gets the better of Bicakcic over on the left flank before cutting into the penalty area. He then sets up Firmino to double Liverpool's lead, but it's sent straight at Baumann and fails to beat the Hoffenheim goalkeeper.
46'
We're underway once again!
Hoffenheim immediately push forward from the restart as Gnabry does really well to carve out some space for himself over on the left wing. He then whips a bouncing cross into the box and towards Wagner, but Moreno is just about able to cut out the danger with an outstretched leg.
45' +2
Lovren almost makes it 2-0! Liverpool are presented with one final chance on goal after winning a corner over on the left flank. It's launched into the box and finds Lovren, who rises high and beats his marker but can only send his downward header bouncing just wide of the far post.
45' +1
An excellent cross-field pass from Demirbay flies over to the right-hand side of the Liverpool box and picks out Kaderabek. The wing-back quickly sends a low cross into the middle of the penalty area and towards Rupp, who looks set to shoot but has the ball taken off him by Wagner, who is then dispossessed.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Another lofted pass is fired over the top of the Liverpool defence and towards the onrushing Gnabry, but this one is overhit and Mignolet is easily able to deal with the danger.
43'
Two huge chances for Hoffenheim! A long ball causes all sorts of problems for the Liverpool defence, allowing Gnabry to muscle his way into the box. He forces Mignolet into making a vital save before the ball rolls out to Wagner, who quickly shoots but sends his first-time strike bouncing off the outside of the near post.
41'
Liverpool have been on the front foot since going ahead, and they now seem to pressing with more purpose. They sat back slightly at the start of the game, but they're now doing much better when trying to frustrate Hoffenheim.
39'
Salah and Alexander-Arnold link up well as the young defender gets himself into a great position once again. He then cuts inside and tries to penetrate the penalty area, but a poor touch lets him down at the last moment and knocks the ball behind for a goal-kick.
37'
Liverpool quickly win the ball back from the restart and pile bodies forward. Alexander-Arnold darts down the right flank and then sets up Can to shoot, but the German's effort is easily stopped by Baumann at the near post.
35'
T. Alexander-Arnold has scored a goal for Liverpool!
GOAL! Yes they can! Alexander-Arnold steps up and curls a perfect strike around the wall and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Baumann was left rooted to the spot and was left with no chance whatsoever by the youngster's brilliant shot.
34'
E. Bičakčić gets yellow.
Mane picks up the ball in a promising position and quickly storms forward, but he's cynically bundled over by Ermin Bicakcic and wins a free-kick for Liverpool 30 yards away from goal. Can they make it count?
33'
Zuber loses the ball over on the right wing and allows Liverpool to counter quickly. Salah's path is blocked off before Alexander-Arnold tries to whip in a cross, but he's well dispossessed by Demirbay before he's able to.
31'
Kramaric fires a great cross out to the right wing and towards Kaderabek fires a clever low cross that manages to pick out Lukas Rupp, who spins and shoots but can't get the better of Matip in front of him.
30'
Wagner embarks on a good run as he dribbles his way past two Liverpool players and towards the penalty area. He then tries to tee up Gnabry, but the two don't seem to be on the same wavelength and the visitors are able to hold on.
28'
Salah catches Zuber as the Swiss wing-back tries to spin round him, and Hoffenheim are awarded another free-kick in a dangerous position. Demirbay's cross is a good one once again, but this time it's Jordan Henderson who can clear the danger under pressure.
26'
Chance for Pavel Kaderabek! A long, looping cross from Demirbay flies into the Liverpool box and bounces over to Kaderabek. The wing-back is in a pocket of space and quickly unleashes a shot, but he can't keep it down and sends it high and wide of its intended target.
24'
Wagner picks up the ball just outside of the Liverpool box and quickly spins round his marker. He cuts onto his right foot and manages to get a shot away, but his 20-yard effort isn't hit well enough to test Mignolet and the goalkeeper can watch it sail comfortably wide.
22'
Another Hoffenheim attack fails to come to anything, and Liverpool then push forward on their own attacking move. Emre Can eventually picks out Georginio Wijnaldum on the edge of the penalty area, but the Dutchman's first touch is heavy and knocks the ball away from him.
20'
Hoffenheim keep patiently working the ball around inside the Liverpool half of the pitch as they try to find an opening in front of them. The visitors look well organised, however, and they're making life tough for their opponents.
18'
Good play by Hoffenheim eventually ends with a poor pass from Vogt over to the right flank. It's quickly cut out by a white shirt and presents Liverpool with a chance to counter-attack, but the home side recover quickly and swiftly win the ball back.
16'
Space opens up for Alexander-Arnold over on the right channel and allows the youngster to fire a cross into the box, but Steven Zuber recovers well to deflect it behind for a corner.
14'
Huge opportunity for Salah to open the scoring! A terrible mistake by Kevin Vogt allows Salah to hit the hosts on a quick counter-attack. He breaks through the middle of the pitch and towards the penalty area before shooting, but, under pressure from Vogt, he can only send his side-footed strike just wide of the near post.
12'
Penalty saved by S. Mignolet!
MISS! Andrej Kramaric is presented with an excellent opportunity to give his side an early lead, but he ends up firing a dreadful shot straight at Mignolet in the middle of the goal.
Mignolet did well to push Kramaric's effort to his left and away from danger but that really was poor from the Croatian. He fired his effort way too close to the Belgian's body, making it very easy to save.
11'
Big call by the referee! Gnabry dances his way into the right-hand side of the Liverpool penalty area as space opens up for him. He takes on Lovren before going down under a tackle from the Croatian, and the referee eventually points to the spot after giving himself a few seconds to think.
9'
Moreno and Sadio Mane link up well before the latter breaks into the box. He heads along the byline and then tries to fizz a pass across the face of goal, but Oliver Baumann is there to get a toe on the ball at the near post.
7'
Wagner is bundled over midway inside the Liverpool half of the pitch, resulting in a free-kick for Hoffenheim in a promising position. A dangerous cross is fired in by Kerem Demirbay and meets Dejan Lovren, who doesn't deal with the danger fully but just about manages to guide the ball into the hands of Mignolet.
6'
Vital interception by Joel Matip! Sandro Wagner easily gets the better of Alberto Moreno as he skips down the right flank on a wonderful run. He then curls a beautiful ball into the box, where Matip is just about able to get a toe onto it at the near post.
4'
A loose ball rolls down the left wing and is almost met by Serge Gnabry, but Simon Mignolet does well to rush out of his penalty area and deal with the danger at the vital moment.
2'
Mohamed Salah is presented with an early chance to fire Liverpool into the lead as he darts into the Hoffenheim box and latches on to a lovely pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his run is slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is immediately raised as soon as he shoots.
1'
We're off! Liverpool get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League play-off first leg clash between Hoffenheim and Liverpool at the Rhein Neckar Arena.
Despite only being midway through August, tonight’s game arguably represents one of Liverpool’s biggest of the season. The Reds are favourites to progress to the group stage of the Champions League but will be well aware that they can’t afford to slip up against an impressive Hoffenheim team that finished just two points behind Borussia Dortmund last season.
Under the watchful eye of 30-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, Hoffenheim have enjoyed an excellent rise up the Bundesliga table. After first saving the club from relegation, the young manager then guided them to their best-ever league finish, resulting in a first appearance in a European competition for a club that just 11 years ago were fighting for promotion from the third tier.
With the new Bundesliga season not getting started until Saturday, Hoffenheim are relatively well rested, despite some of their squad having to play a DFB-Pokal game against Rot-Weiss Erfurt on Saturday. Liverpool, on the other hand, were given a manic runaround by Watford in their Premier League opener, and they’ll have to improve defensively if they’re to keep at bay their frantic and attack-minded opposition tonight.
Liverpool will also have to go into battle with several key names still unavailable. Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge and Nathaniel Clyne were unable to feature on the weekend and can’t do so again tonight, whilst the absence of Philippe Coutinho, for whom the Reds have turned down two bids from Barcelona, will also be a big miss for Jurgen Klopp.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Liverpool substitutes: Karius, Gomez, Klavan, Milner, Grujic, Solanke, Origi.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Julian Nagelsmann has decided to make six changes to the Hoffenheim side that started the cup win against Rot-Weiss Erfurt on the weekend, with Oliver Baumann, Benjamin Hubner, Pavel Kaderabek, Lukas Rupp, Steven Zuber and Serge Gnabry coming into the starting line-up to replace Gregor Kobel, Havard Nordtveit, Eugen Polanski, Jeremy Toljan, Nadiem Amiri and Nico Schulz.
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has named an unchanged side to the one that featured in their last outing, with youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold and the previously out-of-favour Alberto Moreno once again featuring in defence.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: HOFFENHEIM 0-1 LIVERPOOL
It was a tough first half for a Liverpool side that spent much of the period on the back foot, but a world-class free-kick from Alexander-Arnold has given them the lead and, most importantly, a crucial away goal. Hoffenheim have caused plenty of problems at the other end of the pitch and looked dangerous when attacking, but the visitors have just about managed to contain them, despite a few nervy moments.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: HOFFENHEIM 1-2 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool have one foot in the group stage of the Champions League, and they certainly deserve to leave Germany with a victory. They lost concentration slightly towards the end but, overall, did well to contain a determined Hoffenheim side. They soaked up the hosts' pressure and then hit them on a multitude of impressive counter-attacks.
Uth's late goal will have given Hoffenheim confidence, however. Liverpool may have two away goals under their belts but haven't made it to the next round yet, and they're surely in for another tough game at Anfield next week.
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