It’s advantage Liverpool, after the Reds beat Hoffenheim 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League play-off first-leg on Tuesday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was deputising for the injured Nathaniel Clyne, opened scoring for Jurgen Klopp’s men with an exquisite free-kick in the 35th minute.
James Milner made it 2-0 with 13 minutes left, after his cross was deflected in by fellow substitute, Havard Nordtveit.
But Hoffenheim, who saw Andrej Kramaric miss a 14th-minute penalty, grabbed a lifeline late on when Mark Uth halved the deficit.
“It is a thing of dreams to make your European debut for your boyhood club,” Alexander-Arnold told BT Sport.
“Especially to make it with a goal was very special for me.
“More importantly, we got the win. We are still a bit disappointed with the late goal but it is always good to take a lead back to Anfield.
“I kind of got egged on to take the free kick, to be honest. I never put my hand up first but I had the confidence to take it and it paid off.”
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