Liverpool produced a stunning attacking performance to beat Hoffenheim 4-2 at Anfield and seal a place in the lucrative Champions League group stage.
After battling to a priceless 2-1 first leg win in Sinsheim last week, the Reds arrived at Anfield knowing exactly what was required to seal progression to Europe’s elite competition.
And Jurgen Klopp’s men rose to the occasion, producing a devastating attacking display in which goals from Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and a brace from Emre Can ensured qualification.
For the second game running, Klopp made five changes to his side, with Liverpool lining up with the same team that sealed the 2-1 first-leg victory in Germany.
Roared on by Anfield’s biggest crowd for a European fixture since 1978, the Reds took the game to their opponents from the off, and opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Can finished after a brilliant back-heel from Sadio Mane.
Salah doubled the lead just eight minutes later, when the Egyptian slotted home the rebound after Georginio Wijnaldum saw his effort from Firmino’s cutback rebound off the post.
And with just 21 minutes on the clock, Can notched his second of the night as the Reds raced into a three-goal lead, volleying in at the back post after a perfect cross from the magnificent Firmino.
Hoffenheim pulled one back through substitute Mark Uth, but Julian Naglesmann’s side had no answer to the Reds’ lethal forward play, often orchestrated by the superb Mane who proved too hot for the visitors to handle.
On 63 minutes, Firmino scored a richly deserved goal to restore the three-goal cushion, finishing the easiest of chances after being teed up by Jordan Henderson in front of the Kop.
Hoffenheim, by now a beaten side, grabbed a consolation through Sandro Wagner, but it proved nothing more than that as the Reds saw out the match to seal a 4-2 win—6-3 on aggregate—and a group stage place, much to Klopp’s delight.
It was a magnificent night at Anfield, where the Reds will be back in action on Sunday as Arsenal arrive for the final Premier League fixture before the first international break of the season.
