Liverpool Draw Hoffenheim in Tricky Champions League Play-Off

Liverpool face a tricky route in to the Champions League group stages with the five time winners drawn against German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the play-off round of Europe’s most prestigious club competition. At tie like this can go either way and those willing to take a punt on the outcome will be able to take advantage of the unibet bonus code ahead of the Reds trip to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on August 15th and the decisive return leg at Anfield on August 23rd.

Undefeated at home throughout the whole of last season, Hoffenheim is arguably the toughest team Liverpool could have been drawn against, but the Reds boss Jurgen Klopp have shown that he knows a thing or two about teams from Germany — and, of course, making his way through Europe. The former Borussia Dortmund manager, who has been to the showpiece finale of both the Champions League and the Europa League, watched on as his side dismantled Hertha Berlin and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich during an extensive pre-season schedule as he whips the team in shape for their European commitments as well as the rigors of the Premier League.

With that being said, Hoffenheim are a very good side on their day and won’t just roll over for the Anfield outfit. Managed by 30-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, Die Kraichgauer finished only three-points behind perennial title challengers Dortmund to seal a fourth place finish in what was a very competitive campaign — earning them a place in the Champions League for the first time in their 118-year history. If scalping a big side like Liverpool and a famous manager like Klopp isn’t enough of an incentive, then sealing a spot in the group stages will do the trick, but they’re going to have a major scrap on their hands.

“It was good work and the boys did really well in the sessions,” explained the Liverpool manager, speaking to the club’s official website ahead of their final friendly of the summer against Spanish club Athletic Bilbao. “It was not easy for them. We travelled a lot; OK, just to Munich and back, Munich and back, but we also had a lot of sessions to do,” continued Klopp, always quick with a joke. “We will get the benefit of it during the season,” added the German manager. “It’s now recovery, day off, game – and then we will start. We are in a good position.”