Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 2-1 in the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday night.
Liverpool battled through another unconvincing defensive display to pick up a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Tuesday night, giving themselves a 2-1 advantage in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.
The Reds went into the game with major questions to answer at the back following a 3-3 draw against Watford on Saturday afternoon, where the Liverpool defence capitulated – particularly on set pieces.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in action with Hoffenheim duo Benjamin Hubner and Steven Zuber
In the early stages of Tuesday’s clash with Hoffenheim, Liverpool again looked frail at the back as Dejan Lovren conceded an 11th minute penalty by upending Serge Gnabry, but Andrej Kramaric’s spot kick was saved by Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool took advantage as Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped home a stunning long-range free kick to make it 1-0, and James Milner’s deflected cross put Liverpool 2-0 in the second half, with ex-West Ham midfielder Havard Nordtveit credited with an own goal.
Mark Uth did pull one back for Hoffenheim late on, but with two away goals and a return leg at Anfield to come, Liverpool are the hot favourites to go through to the Champions League group stage ahead of Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Liverpool’s performance wasn’t exactly stellar, and whilst the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino impressed, fans weren’t exactly sold on summer signing Mohamed Salah’s display.
Hoffenheim’s Swiss midfielder Steven Zuber (L) and Liverpool’s forward Mohamed Salah vie for the ball
Salah, snapped up from Roma in a club-record deal earlier this summer, scored against Watford on Saturday but wasted a number of chances against Hoffenheim, sparking unconvinced reactions from Liverpool fans.
Reds supporters took to Twitter to share their fears that Salah could prove to be a flop, even labelling him ‘the Egyptian Theo Walcott’. Others believe he just needs time to settle and should be used on the left of the Liverpool attack rather than the right, as the former Chelsea man did little to convince Liverpool fans with his display against Hoffenheim.
What did you think of Salah’s display against Hoffenheim?
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