Liverpool vs. Hoffenheim | 4–2 | Liverpool are back in the Champions League Group Stage

It is official… Liverpool FC are back in the Champions League group stages, and #ArsenalAreTheOnlyBig6TeamNotInChampionsLeagueThisYear (get it trending people). With the 4–2 (6–3 aggregate) win at Anfield tonight, Liverpool cast their parchment into the Goblet of Fire, to face off with 3 other teams that will fall into their group. You could tell from watching and listening to Anfield’s roar tonight just how much this win meant to the club and supporters alike.
Each team was looking to get off to a fast and furious start, with so much on the line. Nagelsmann’s boys needed to secure a rigid start if they had any chance of cutting down the deficit in front of them. Liverpool have seemed to enjoy when teams try to drive down the field and punch them in the chin because it usually leads to the Cardiac Kids going back the other way on a devastating counter attach. From the moment the match kicked off you could tell that the atmosphere and the pressure from Liverpool had Hoffenheim shook and uncomfortable. They did not seem as precise and calm as the first leg at home, with Liverpool seeming to have their way in the midfield and in the final half. Liverpool asked questions early and often of keeper Oliver Baumann. Most of the build plays began with Roberto Firmino taking up a deeper role in the midfield which was interesting to see. It often led to him finding Sadio Mane on a break with space to run and work. The combiniation of Mane, Fiminio, and Salah proved again to be quick, decivicing, and downright lethal.
At the 10 minute mark, Liverpool broke through and found the start they so desperately needed. The first goal was setup with the same Bobby to Sadio linkup, proceeded by a crisp backheal to Emre Can. Can, not scared to shoot, put a shot on target that took a deflection of a Hoffenheim defender, finally finding its way into the bottom left corner of the net. Anfield erupted. The vital first goal put Liverpool comfortably in front with little to nothing standing in their way.

With the first goal in the bag, you could tell that Jurgen Klopp made sure his side knew that there was still work to be done with no reason to sit back and become complacent. Liverpool did not waste any time at all hunting for the next goal in attempt to put this tie away. In the 18th minute, Firminio found himself of the left wing and a lot of Hoffenheim defenders in front of him. Gini Wijnaldum crept into the 18 and found space which a perfect ball being played to his feet. Gini played a low soft grounder into the far post which bounced directly to the onside Mo Salah, who made no mistake about the finish. 2–0 now to Liverpool, the group stages were almost a certainty and Johnny Cash’s, Ring of Fire swirled around Anfield.
The deed was essentialy done when in the 21st minute, you guessed it, a back heal from Sadio Mane to Bobby and a perfectly weighted ball to a waiting Emre Can gave Liverpool a 3–0 lead and a strangle hold on Hoffenheim, burying their chances of making it into the group stages. It was great to see Emre bag his brace and showed how much it meant to him in his celebration. Can was the focal point of a lot of top clubs this offseason trying to get him to take a step away from Anfield. A fan favorite, Emre Can consistently shows how important he is to this club and how much this club is important to him. Liverpool went on and added another goal to the tally with Roberto Firminio getting on the scorboard after a defensive blunder. That goal led to a celebration that only one would exepct from Favela Bob.

Hoffenheim were able to bag two away goals one from Mark Uth and Sandro Wagner which gave the away fans something to cheer about. Hoffenheim were no match for the intensity that Liverpool brought to the table tonight. Julian Nagelsmann promised to bring an inspired team to Anfield and promised that they would be ready for the bright lights of Anfield. This could not have been farther from the truth. Post match, the young coach had some choice words for his team, confirming the fact that the stage was just too big for the German club and that the side did not “stick to the plan.” Cheers to them for putting up a fight in the first leg to make the second one interesting and making Liverpool having to show up and do a job.

In the end, it is mission accomplished for Liverpool. 14 long, hard months have led to Liverpool being officially back in the Champions League along with 4 other sides from the Premier League (Chelsea, Spurs, and both Manchester Clubs). The Group Stages are always interesting and a cause for excitement. Liverpool will find out on Thursday who will join them in the quest for the knockout rounds. With the transfer window closing soon and some rumors still stirring, will any players put pen to paper now that Liverpool have received their ticket to the party? One can only hope… Until next time.
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