Hoffenheim 1-2 Liverpool RATINGS: Brave Trent Alexander-Arnold impresses as Roberto Firmino stands up well on his return to Germany

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Liverpool took a massive step towards the Champions League group stages with a 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim in their play-off first leg.

Young defender Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool in front with a superb first-half free-kick before a James Milner cross was deflected in by Havard Nordtveit to double the Reds' lead 15 minutes from the end.

Mark Uth halved the deficit three minutes from time but Liverpool still head back to Anfield in the driving seat. Sportmail's JACK GAUGHAN was at Rhein-Neckar Arena — and here he runs the rule over the Liverpool players on show.

Liverpool moved closer to the Champions League group stages with a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim

LIVERPOOL 

SIMON MIGNOLET - 7.5

One of the softest penalties he'll ever face but still kept Liverpool in this early on by saving Andrej Kramaric's weak effort.

Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet kept them level with a penalty save from Andrej Kramaric

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD - 8

What a wonderful free-kick, the youngster showing bravery to step up ahead of far more senior team-mates.

DEJAN LOVREN - 6

A wretched first-half during which he consistently failed to deal with crosses into the box and clumsily conceded a penalty. Much improved thereafter.

JOEL MATIP - 6.5

Commanding when bringing the ball out from the back, although communication with Lovren needed a bit of work.

Trent Alexander-Arnold gave Liverpool the lead with a pin-point first-half free kick in Germany

ALBERTO MORENO - 6.5

Defensively shy — a consequence of Jurgen Klopp's formation — but did storm forward with gusto and has quality on the ball.

JORDAN HENDERSON - 5.5

Strange night for the skipper, who struggled to get hold of the midfield and was wasteful in possession.

EMRE CAN - 7.5

Willing runner, covering plenty of ground, and was vital in wrestling back some control after Hoffenheim started brightly.

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM - 7

The man to break the lines in midfield and gave Liverpool an extra gear when they needed one.

Georginio Wijnaldum was the man who gave Liverpool the extra gear when they needed one

MOHAMED SALAH - 6.5

Should've done better when breaking clean through, meekly poking wide, but has the knack of finding dangerous pockets.

SADIO MANE - 7.5

Lively from the left to begin with and imposing in possession, evidenced when brought down in the build-up to the first goal.

ROBERTO FIRMINO - 7.5

Stood up to the three Hoffenheim central defenders well on his return. Can be forgiven a big miss after half-time.

New forward Mohamed Salah missed a glorious first-half chance after racing through on goal

SUBS

JAMES MILNER (for Henderson, 63) - 7

Brought on to solidify the midfield but Milner decided to add a second instead, even if a deflection helped it float in.

DOMINIC SOLANKE (for Firmino, 84)

Late change in a bid to further stretch the home defence.

MARKO GRUJIC (for Mane, 89)

Liverpool under pressure in the dying moments and wanted an extra midfield body.

MANAGER

JURGEN KLOPP - 6.5

Gave his full backs an awful lot to do with the three in midfield. The Reds were electric going forward, though.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gave his full backs an awful lot to do by picking three in midfield

Hoffenheim (5-3-2): Baumann 6; Kaderabek 6, Bicakcic 6 (Nordtveit 52, 5), Vogt 7, Hubner 6, Zuber 6.5; Rupp 5.5 (Amiri 53, 6), Demirbay 7, Kramaric 5.5; Gnabry 7 (Uth 70, 7), Wagner 7

Subs not used: Kobel, Toljan, Szalai, Geiger

REF - BJORN KUIPERS (Ned) - 7

Called the big ones correctly, which included Hoffenheim's penalty and disallowing two goals. Only blot was a possible rolling ball for Milner's goal.