Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are confident of progressing to the Champions League group stages after their first-leg victory but they’re aware there is still work to do.
The Reds lead 2-1 from the first leg in Germany, meaning that Julian Nagelsmann’s side need at least two goals at Anfield to turn the tide in their favour, and the odds look extremely favourable to Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side are no strangers to slipping up in crucial moments and will need to be solid defensively if they are to emerge victorious. Therefore, our landlord believes the German boss’ selection needs to be spot-on this week.
There can be no room for failure but Klopp may be tempted to rotate his side ahead of a crucial hosting of Arsenal at Anfield this weekend, a match that could provide a huge impact on a race for Champions League football next season.
This early in the season though, Liverpool need to take it one game at a time and their focus should be on the match on Wednesday, rather than considering Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
Hit the navigation buttons below to see the XI that Liverpool need to field against Hoffenheim.
GK: Simon Mignolet
The Belgian goalkeeper has improved significantly over the past 12 months and has reasserted his position as Liverpool’s number one ahead of last summer’s signing Loris Karius. It’s his position to lose and his performances in the Champions League will be crucial.
Having kept a clean-sheet in the weekend’s narrow victory over Crystal Palace, Mignolet enters this week’s play-off tie on good form and will be confident of another positive performance. However, he’ll know that Hoffenheim have to give it their all in attack and it could be a very busy evening for him.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The hero of the victory last week following a fantastic free-kick, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been Liverpool’s breakthrough star in the opening weeks of the campaign and could become a huge asset in the coming months.
With Nathaniel Clyne continuing to be on the sidelines through injury, Alexander-Arnold is crucial to Jurgen Klopp’s side. Having proved himself last week, Alexander-Arnold has the position in his back pocket at the moment and it’s his position to lose.
CB: Joel Matip
The Cameroonian defender was one of the best signings of the season last term, arriving on a free transfer from Germany, and he’s a valuable part of the defence. Whilst the jury remains out on other aspects of the defensive line, Matip has proven himself to be a leader.
A potential captain in the future, the former Schalke man will have to prove his worth in the Champions League this season to show he’s amongst the best in his position. To do that he’ll need to stop Hoffenheim scoring twice at Anfield, which may be testing.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Perhaps the most controversial member of Liverpool’s established back four and his performances since his move from Southampton have been inconsistent at best. Despite that, he still has the faith of Jurgen Klopp and continues to be a regular starter.
The truth is Liverpool lack significant depth in central defensive areas and, for that reason, Lovren needs to improve his consistency and performance levels. Participating in the Champions League will be a huge test for him but the 28-year-old Croatian can cope.
LB: James Milner
Having impressed Jurgen Klopp in pre-season, Spanish full-back Alberto Moreno was back to his old ways last week against Hoffenheim and was at sea on numerous occasions. Against a better side that may well have been exploited and Klopp should head the warnings.
James Milner deputised superbly in this position last term and should come into the side here. Andrew Robertson boasts this position as his own moving forward but the next two games against Hoffenheim and Arsenal may well be too much for him. Experience is needed, which means Milner should be selected.
CM: Emre Can
Still embroiled in a contract stand-off with Liverpool, German midfielder Emre Can boasts the negotiating chips at the table due to his importance to the Reds. If they lose his services, they’ll find him extremely difficult to replace- arguably more difficult to replace than Coutinho.
At 23-years-old, Can could be crafted into one of the most important aspects of Liverpool’s side and progression in the Champions League will be crucial to any negotiations of an extension to Can’s deal. Succeed in Europe and he may extend, fail and he’s almost certain to leave.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
Another contender for signing of the season, Georginio Wijnaldum has slotted in perfectly to Liverpool’s midfield under Jurgen Klopp’s tenure. He’s another player who’s relatively inexperienced at Champions League level, so this season will be a stern test for him.
With his age though, Wijnaldum has the experience in other areas that can be taken into the European stage and his dominating presence in midfield is crucial to Liverpool’s plans to overcome Hoffenheim on Wednesday evening.
CM: Jordan Henderson
Skipper of Liverpool’s side, he’ll want nothing more than to lift a trophy with Liverpool this season. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll get his hands on the Champions League this season but a successful campaign in Europe could help Liverpool in their progression.
His leadership in the middle of the park will be important against Hoffenheim, particularly if the German side take an early lead on the night, and Henderson will be there to push the side towards the bigger picture. After all, a 1-0 loss would hardly be the end of the world.
RW: Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian ace was left out of the starting line-up for this weekend’s victory over Crystal Palace, with the Champions League play-off in mind, and he’ll be keen to perform better after missing a glorious chance in Germany last week.
Salah has the ability to become a superstar for Liverpool following his mega summer transfer but he’ll need to cut out the mistakes. The Champions League is a platform for him to prove his worth and answer his critics- and he could make the first strides towards that on Wednesday evening.
LW: Sadio Mane
Having scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Sadio Mane has proved one again that he’s the superstar within Liverpool’s ranks. If Philippe Coutinho does get the exit from Anfield that he wants, them Mane will be the man the Reds look towards as their main man.
Mane, like many others in the Liverpool squad, is inexperienced in the Champions League but he certainly has the ability to be one of the stand-out performers in the competition this season. For that to happen he needs to get through the the group stages, at least, so he needs to lead his side through this tie.
CF: Roberto Firmino
Question marks still remain as to whether Roberto Firmino can be the leading forward that Liverpool need this season but Jurgen Klopp can’t afford to utilise Daniel Sturridge so soon after his latest injury set-back and a start for Dominic Solanke is a step too far.
Firmino will lead the line against his former employers and he has the capability to be a match-winner for the Reds. The problem is he also has the equal ability of costing Liverpool the game if he misses key chances, so the Reds certainly need to be more decisive in the attacking thirds.
