However, Juergen Klopp's men almost shocked the hosts again but Dejan Lovren's header missed the goal narrowly in the dying seconds of the first half.

After the restart, Liverpool gained momentum, but Hoffenheim's goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was on guard to deny Roberto Firmino's and Sadio Mane's efforts.

Both sides exchanged offensive actions but it was nevertheless the visitors who doubled the lead when Hoffenheim defender Havard Nordtveit deflected James Milner's cross to make it 2-0 on the scoreboards in the 75th minute.

Hoffenheim kept it bowling and rewarded their efforts with two minutes remaining after Mark Uth unleashed a diagonal hammer to score a vital goal going into the second leg at Anfield Road on August 23

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