Hoffenheim vs Liverpool Match Preview

Liverpool set for  the first leg of the playoff having played their first league match on 12th August. In that first game against Watford, they came back from a goal down to lead by 2-1 and then by 3-2, to eventually concede in injury time and take only a point from the winnable tie. The game highlighted their continued vulnerability against set pieces and their awry defence, including the lack of creativity in the midfield in Coutinho’s absence. These problems will not disappear overnight as the Reds head to Germany and they will need to address them urgently to ensure that they do reach the group stages of the European competition their fans covet so much.

TEAM NEWS

Nagelsmann will most likely miss Sandro Wagner, who was the second-highest scorer for Hoffenheim last season with 11 goals in 31 games. He was substituted early in the friendly against Bologna but it remains to be seen whether he can start against Liverpool on Tuesday night. Other than Wagner, the German side should be at full-strength and raring to start their 2017-18 campaign with a bang.

Jurgen Klopp will be worried a bit that he is starting what promises to be a long campaign with a bunch of injuries. Adam Lallana remains sidelined due to injury, while the in-demand Phil Coutinho is also likely to be unavailable due to a back injury. Daniel Sturridge could feature on Tuesday but is not likely to be 100% fit. Nathaniel Clyne also remains in doubt, though after the defensive performance of Saturday, Klopp will fervently hope that his first-choice right back returns as soon as possible.

Hoffenheim vs Liverpool: Head-to-head

This is the first meeting between the two clubs.

Liverpool’s record against German clubs in UEFA Competition from 36 matches is 17 wins, 13 draws and 6 losses. They are unbeaten at Anfield with 11 wins and 3 draws from 14 games. Meanwhile, they managed just 2 wins from 14 trips to Germany, drew 8 and lost 4.

As a head-coach, Jurgen Klopp met Hoffenheim 16 and has a record of 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses.

THE VERDICT

This two-legged playoff can launch Liverpool’s campaign or can hobble it badly, because if they lose the playoff, they descend to the now familiar group stages of Europa League. Klopp knows this and will throw everything to get an away goal or two to ensure an easier home leg. Having said that, at present it seems nothing can stop opponents scoring against the Reds’ defence, Hoffenheim definitely have a chance at scoring a few themselves. It is a high-stakes game for Liverpool but for the German side, it is their first European experience. I think Klopp and Liverpool’s European experience can pull them through this playoff but the first leg will be a cagey affair.

Hoffenheim vs Liverpool: Prediction

Despite being touted as underdogs, Hoffenheim could prove a handful for Liverpool. Last season, we saw Nagelsmann’s tactical know-how torment Bayern Munich at this same venue and ended up with a priceless 2-0 win in their bags.

The Reds haven’t started the season well and coming on the back of a disappointing 3-3 draw against a moderate Watford. To make things worse, they are without 8 players due to injury. Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings are the prominent names who are forced to watch the match from home.

In a nutshell, this match is poised to be a clash of tactical masterclass. But, Hoffenheim could do enough to snatch a narrow victory here.