Euro calling
> Reds out to complete Hoffenheim mission and secure Champions League spot
JURGEN KLOPP’S Liverpool will attempt to clinch their place in the lucrative Champions League group stage this week as they take a 2-1 lead into their play-off second leg against Hoffenheim.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s freekick and a second-half own goal handed the Reds a commanding advantage in Germany, but Mark Uth’s late strike provided Hoffenheim with a glimmer of hope ahead of the return at Anfield.
Klopp rotated his squad for Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, making five changes to the team with tomorrow’s European encounter weighing heavily on his mind.
And the German coach insists he will not be afraid to rotate as he did against Palace throughout the campaign – providing the replacements continue to impress.
It is three years since the Anfield outfit, five times European champions, last graced the group stage of the continent’s elite club competition.
“The performance and the result were not perfect, far from it. We still have much to do in this tie,” Klopp said in Liverpool’s matchday programme at the weekend.
Klopp admits his side have had to start this season hitting the ground running if they want to establish a challenge in their two most important competitions this year.
“We all have pressure and it’s a quick start always. You need to be there immediately, deliver and all that stuff,” Klopp said.
“The difference this year is that it’s really hard, we all know a draw today, two points instead of four or six, it doesn’t feel good but you can sort it.
“You can’t do this in a Champions League qualifier. This intensity is really hard, for both teams not just us, yes that’s very special and that’s why we’ve made the changes (against Palace).
“That’s the challenge, that’s the situation. So far, so good. We know we give ourselves one day for recovery and then everything starts again.”
Substitutes Dejan Lovren, Emre Can and Mohamed Salah are all expected to return to the starting line-up tomorrow, while fullbacks Alberto Moreno and Trent Alexander-Arnold should also return despite not being named in the squad on Saturday.
Management of the squad could be vital in European competition this season, although Klopp is taking nothing for granted despite the advantage they hold over the German side.
When asked if he will continue to shuffle his pack in the Champions League group stages, he replied: “That was not the smartest last question because I do not talk about the group stage.” – AFP/Agencies