Liverpool host Hoffenheim in the Champions League playoff second leg at Anfield tonight, here’s some pre-match stats and facts.
10
Liverpool are hoping to play their 10th season of football in the Champions League group stages.
0
Liverpool have played German opposition 18 times at Anfield in European competition and have never lost, winning 15 and drawing 3.
They have conceded only 7 times, with 3 coming in one game against Dortmund in April 2016. The Reds have kept 13 clean sheets.
1st
This could be Daniel Sturridge‘s first appearance for Liverpool in Europe’s major competition. All his 10 previous European appearances have come in the Europa League.
Debuts
Ragnar Klavan, Andy Robertson, Loris Karius, Ben Woodburn, Ove Ejaria, and Ryan Kent have yet to appear for Liverpool in Europe.
2 out of 8
If Liverpool progress it will be only the second time in the last 8 seasons they have reached the group stage of the Champions League.
10
The Reds have never in their illustrious history been eliminated from Europe after winning the first leg away from home. They have returned to Anfield with a first leg advantage on 33 previous occasions.
6
In all 6 seasons when the Reds have begun a Champions League competition in the qualifiers they have gone on to reach the knockout stages. Ironically when the Reds have gained admission straight into the group stage they have never managed to progress.
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea.
