Champions League Play Off: Liverpool vs Hoffenheim

Liverpool face Hoffenheim at Anfield on Wednesday evening, in the Champions League playoff fixture.

Liverpool come into this match on the back of a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Sadio Mane scored the only goal of the game (73), with the ball falling fortuitously into the path of the forward.

The Reds completely dominated possession, with 72% of the ball compared to Palace's 28%.

They also registered the most shots (23) with 13 shots on target, this in comparison with Palace's four shots and one on target.

Success Needed

That win will have delighted Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds manager securing his first win and failing to concede a goal.

They kept a rare clean sheet, which given the problems they encountered in the opening game with have delighted Klopp.

There is still a huge cloud hanging over the future of Phillippe Coutinho, with the Brazillian being courted by Barcelona.

Sadio Mane proved how crucial he will be to Liverpool's season, irrespective of whether Coutinho moves on or not.

Jurgen Klopp's side come into this match as favourites, their attacking form giving them the edge with the bookies.

This will be a tough fixture for Liverpool, with Hoffenheim showing what a tough side they are in the first leg.

Liverpool will be looking for their second successive win against Hoffenheim.

Opening Day Draw

The Germans come into this match in good form, winning their opening Bundesliga match of the new season 1-0 against Werder Bremen.

Andrei Kramaric scored the only goal of the game for Hoffenheim (84), with the forward leaving it late.

It was a match that saw Hoffenheim dominate possession, with the home side enjoying 63.7% of the ball.

They dominated both the shots 14 compared with Bremen's 11, and the shots on target with 3 compared with Bremens 2.

Overall it was an excellent win for Hoffenheim, who picked up where they left off last season.

It will be a tough season for the Germans, despite enjoying an incredible fourth placed finish last year.

They defied the odds and finished in fourth place, just two points behind third placed Borussia Dortmund.

Despite losing the opening leg of this fixture 2-1, Hoffenheim still have an excellent chance of progressing.

If they were to score two goals they would be in the driving seat, with away goals king in European football.

Hoffenheim come into this match as underdogs, with Liverpool's pedigree informing the odds.

This could be the perfect start to Hoffenheim's season, with Champions League football the pinnacle.

Hoffenheim will be looking to record their first ever win against Liverpool, at the second time of asking.

Tip 1 – Salah to score first @ 4/1

Tip 2 – Liverpool to win 2-1 @ 15/2