Topic: Match Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Liverpool [Tuesday 15 August 2017, K.O. 19:45]

[rocco]

Is it dropping or rotating? I mean Cech is clearly Arsenal's #1 but they play Ospina in the CL. It seems like the done thing nowadays if you have two good keepers that you split the game time. If we do that to it would make sense for Karius to play in Europe as it's more a style he's used to than the physicality of the PL.

Think it will be Mignolet for pl and cl

[Funky_Gibbons]

But you also need to consider the opposition in my opinion.  As reported, this team are very tall and really good from set pieces, Mignolet for me is the much more commanding keeping when dealing with crosses under pressure.

It wouldn't surprise me if we start Mignolet as it's so early in the season and we've just conceded three goals so we might want to keep our back five together. Maybe Karius will start some Champions league if/when we reach the group stages.

I agree Mignolet is better equipped at dealing with high balls but Bundesliga don't put as many crosses into the box as Premier League teams, Hoffienhiem averaged 12 crosses per game last season, the team with the fewest in the PL averaged 16, so Karius' lack of presence in the box shouldn't be as exposed.

All depends on Klopp really and whether he sees Karius as a project worth persevering with.
 

[Redman78]

It wouldn't surprise me if we start Mignolet as it's so early in the season and we've just conceded three goals so we might want to keep our back five together. Maybe Karius will start some Champions league if/when we reach the group stages.

I agree Mignolet is better equipped at dealing with high balls but Bundesliga don't put as many crosses into the box as Premier League teams, Hoffienhiem averaged 12 crosses per game last season, the team with the fewest in the PL averaged 16, so Karius' lack of presence in the box shouldn't be as exposed.

All depends on Klopp really and whether he sees as a project worth persevering with.
 

Fair enough.  Can't say I know much about them, it was just their goals scored from set piece record that was concerning me.

[nellyp]

The point about Bundesliega experience is quite valid in my opinion, but I am more worried that they have seen how weak we are defending the box. I am hoping Milner starts at LB tonight to give the back some more confidence (I still think there is a worry in their minds about Moreno). I would keep the rest as is from Saturday, but give Solanke a chance instead of Origi.

I also think we will score goals, but obviously worry about the other end. if we can cut them off in mifield then we can give our backs more of a chance. Shame we don't have that commanding DM yet.

[Henry Kissinger]

Thoroughly enjoyed both OPs from E2K and BY, appreciate the time you guys put in. They've certainly set the bar high, which will be brought crashing down when I write mine in November.

Interesting article in The Guardian today about their manager.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/15/hoffenheim-julian-nagelsmann-liverpool-champions-league

[Gerry Attrick]

Thoroughly enjoyed both OPs from E2K and BY, appreciate the time you guys put in. They've certainly set the bar high, which will be brought crashing down when I write mine in November.

Interesting article in The Guardian today about their manager.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/15/hoffenheim-julian-nagelsmann-liverpool-champions-league

He's got future Bayern coach written all over him. I expect him to take over when Ancelotti leaves.

[rocco]

Thoroughly enjoyed both OPs from E2K and BY, appreciate the time you guys put in. They've certainly set the bar high, which will be brought crashing down when I write mine in November.

Interesting article in The Guardian today about their manager.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/15/hoffenheim-julian-nagelsmann-liverpool-champions-league

I remember this been talked about when Klopp  arrived

Hoffenheim are one of only two clubs (Borussia Dortmund is the other) to use the Footbonaut training centre, where balls are hit to players at speed to improve their control and decision making, and this summer he erected a video wall at the club’s training ground.

Thought we were going to introduce it ?

[ToneLa]

The only Footbonaut stuff I saw was speculation on whether Klopp would use it here, when he was imminent / new. Nowt concrete, but I'm interested in it!

[JG6]

It'd be really nice to see us show a bit of maturity here, take the sting out of the game early on and force Hoffenheim to do something special to break us down. With Salah and Mane we are always going to get chances, so let's get the basics right and let them win the game for us.

[BabuYagu]

Saw this on twitter. I like it.

[Syntexity]

Might be nerves, but have a not so good feeling about this match. I dont know their team well, but obviously making fourth in bundesliga is a very good achievement. They were close to pipping Dortmund to third. We beat german teams comfortably in pre season, but that was friendlies.

Just get the win. Hoping Mane and Salah is in proper mood today and that the rest of the team (bar TAA, he was great) improves alot compared to the Watford game.

[jimbo1962]

wouldnt be too worried , their squad sounds like a whoswho of luvvies
Roman Polanski, Eric Stoltz. Dwight Schulz, John Voigt
well....one or two of those was a bit forced.

[amirani]

Might be nerves, but have a not so good feeling about this match. I dont know their team well, but obviously making fourth in bundesliga is a very good achievement. They were close to pipping Dortmund to third. We beat german teams comfortably in pre season, but that was friendlies.

Just get the win. Hoping Mane and Salah is in proper mood today and that the rest of the team (bar TAA, he was great) improves alot compared to the Watford game.

We also finished 4th as well beating teams like Utd and Arsenal. Even competition to say the least.

[liverpool185]

Gonna miss our mid week games due to working evenings but will be checking the score at every possible chance while in work, hope we put in a good performance tonight.

CMON REDS!!!!!!!!

[disgraced cake]

Was Liege the last time we've had to play a qualifier? Let's hope it doesn't go right down to the wire for us this time.

Massive this, hope we can bring in any type of win for Anfield next week, ideally with more than one away goal.

A bit shite that they happen to score a few from set pieces isn't it? Read somewhere as well they have one of the tallest teams in Europe. Bastard 

Hoping for a successful return for Bobby, hopefully sending us on our way to a comfortable return leg!

[ToneLa]

On BT Sport this isn't it?

[redk84]

Nervous for this. They were unbeaten at home, good in the air, tough team even against the better German sides last season.....

BUT the nerves are mainly coming from the fact that I don't know where the lads' heads are at. I would love to see us come out the blocks and hit them from the off but I can see it being a slow and ponderous start.

However it pans out, get an away goal and Im sure we will batter them at Anfield.

A fantastic performance today and it would be a real boost for everyone, club needs a bit of a pick me up and this game is absolutely huge in terms of the context for our season. They can't be underestimated and we have to focus 100% today.

Cmon redmen!

[BabuYagu]

Might be nerves, but have a not so good feeling about this match. I dont know their team well, but obviously making fourth in bundesliga is a very good achievement. They were close to pipping Dortmund to third. We beat german teams comfortably in pre season, but that was friendlies.

Just get the win. Hoping Mane and Salah is in proper mood today and that the rest of the team (bar TAA, he was great) improves alot compared to the Watford game.

The team that finished 4th - the key player in their system tactically was Rudy - who is now at Bayern. The also lost Sule, who was probably their best defender against pacey forwards. Wagnar may also be missing who is their target man.

The equivalent would be playing Chelsea without Kante, Costa and Luiz. Sure, still a good team but to be missing a key player in each line of your spine is a really tough ask for any side.

Dont get me wrong - they are a good side, but they have more problems than we do at this moment in time.

[BabuYagu]

Nervous for this. They were unbeaten at home, good in the air, tough team even against the better German sides last season.....

BUT the nerves are mainly coming from the fact that I don't know where the lads' heads are at. I would love to see us come out the blocks and hit them from the off but I can see it being a slow and ponderous start.

However it pans out, get an away goal and Im sure we will batter them at Anfield.

A fantastic performance today and it would be a real boost for everyone, club needs a bit of a pick me up and this game is absolutely huge in terms of the context for our season. They can't be underestimated and we have to focus 100% today.

Cmon redmen!

Based on how both sides approach big games, the most likely outcome is a very high paced start that is very transition heavy. Similar to how a game against Spurs would start - for example. Suspect Gini will be a key player if so as he was against spurs.

[Gus 1855]

Not sure I'm ready for this important a game this early in the season. I feel sick already.

[redk84]

Based on how both sides approach big games, the most likely outcome is a very high paced start that is very transition heavy. Similar to how a game against Spurs would start - for example. Suspect Gini will be a key player if so as he was against spurs.

I guess im looking at it purely from the occasion POV and I know it is massive for us and will be even bigger for them.

Can see nerves kicking in early and a while before the game settles. Tho I admit I've not watched much of Hoffenheim so you could be right, a more open game would certainly suit us!

[jillcwhomever]

Not sure I'm ready for this important a game this early in the season. I feel sick already.

Come on a chance to get back into the big time, Champion's League football. I can't bloody wait, albeit the nerves are there, but that is just part of it.

[Groundskeeper Willie]

I'm really nervous. For the game and for making my commie debut.

[JerseyKloppite]

I'm really nervous. For the game and for making my commie debut.

You'll be fine!

My commie debut was the second leg of the EL semi-final in 2010. That went well

Just looked back, some of my highlights:

89- Alberto Aquilani, who has been very good tonight, is taken off for Nabil El Zhar. Any guesses on how we'll shape up now?

Phil Degen about to come on? If there was ever a moment...

[TheShanklyGates]

Simply must win this tie.

[DG]

I'm really nervous. For the game and for making my commie debut.

Just don't tell any liberals and the word socialist is just a lot more socially accepted, although it's not the same.

[jillcwhomever]

You'll be fine!

My commie debut was the second leg of the EL semi-final in 2010. That went well

Just looked back, some of my highlights:

You're not doing it tonight are you.? 

[peachybum]

I think we'll go through BUT do we drop into the Europa League if we lose or are we just out of Europe entirely?

[BabuYagu]

You'll be fine!

My commie debut was the second leg of the EL semi-final in 2010. That went well

Just looked back, some of my highlights:

I think I made my commie debut in the Hodgson era, possibly against Blackpool, could be wrong. I remember asking Dr Manhattan to help out and him utterly destroying Poulson and Hodgson

[Bobinhood]

every time we play a qualifier i flash back to Reina flying through the air and just fingertipping a screamer from the green team (maccabi hiaffa?) away from the top right corner. We woulda gone out.

These things suck for the nerves. But, we always get through them. knock on wood.

[JerseyKloppite]

You're not doing it tonight are you.? 

No I'm watching in the pub tonight

[Qston]

Lets get this done. A couple of away goals followed by a thoroughly professional performance at home. Lets go into the main stages in style and send out a message to Europe that we are back and we mean business. We want number 6

[Djimi Smicer34]

I'm not even going to contemplate us not getting through this qualifier.

We got the hardest draw that we could have IMO, Hoffenheim are a good team with an excellent young manager.  But we've got more than enough to beat them and there are no excuses why we shouldn't.

We have to win.

[amirani]

Based on how both sides approach big games, the most likely outcome is a very high paced start that is very transition heavy. Similar to how a game against Spurs would start - for example. Suspect Gini will be a key player if so as he was against spurs.

I feel the key player is gonna be Mane. Can see him scoring 3 goals over both home and away fixtures.

[jillcwhomever]

No I'm watching in the pub tonight

Thank god for that. 

[scouseman]

It is my birthday today and I so hope we can get a morale boosting win  and to reclaim our rightful place at the top table in the best European club competition. Good luck the mighty reds. Lets do this. So nervous though.   

[ToneLa]

Happy birthday and I hope you get the present you want

[Vote For Pedro]

Getting excited now!!! Let's stick the critics' words back down their throats. 2-1 to us. Salah double.

[scouseman]

Happy birthday and I hope you get the present you want

thank you. Liverpool win would be sound to mark it.

[ggcc14]

It is my birthday today and I so hope we can get a morale boosting win  and to reclaim our rightful place at the top table in the best European club competition. Good luck the mighty reds. Lets do this. So nervous though.

Happy birthday mate, i'm strangely not nervous at all. Excited though, think we are going to tonk them tonight. 1-3.