Liverpool take on Hoffenheim tonight in Champs League
London – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp concedes his side are already feeling the pressure this season ahead of the return leg of their Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim tonight (8.45pm, live on SS3).
Liverpool looked to have planted one foot in the group phase after going 2-0 up in last week’s first-leg in Germany, only for Mark Uth’s 87thminute reply to bring Hoffenheim right back into the tie.
The five-time European champions needed a late Sadio Mane goal to see off Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday and Klopp anticipates another knife-edge occasion at Anfield tonight.
“We all have pressure and it’s a quick start always,” said Klopp, who reached the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
“You need to be there immediately, deliver and all that stuff. The difference this year is that it’s really hard.”
Klopp made five changes to his starting XI for the 1-0 victory over Palace, with debutant Andy Robertson, Ragnar Klavan,
Joe Gomez, James Milner and Daniel Sturridge coming into the side.
Having started on the bench, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can and star signing Mohamed Salah are all expected to return to the starting line-up against Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim.
Liverpool are likely to still be without Brazilian playmaker
Philippe Coutinho, the subject of three unsuccessful bids from Spanish giants Barcelona, who continues to nurse a back problem. –