Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 2-1 on Germany on Tuesday in their Champions League playoff first leg. Jurgen Klopp’s side was in control of the tie until the last minutes of the game, but just like at Watford at the weekend, Liverpool conceded a late goal.
At Watford it cost the Reds two points, but this goal could be more costly if it ends up costingLiverpool a place in the Champions League group stages.
After the match Liverpool fans were apoplectic at Liverpool;s defensive woes but in his post-match interview Jurgen Klopp declared himself satisfied with Liverpool’s defensive display.
“If I think back two-and-a-half hours, if someone had said we would have won tonight I would have taken any result – even 8-7,” Klopp said.
“I’m happy about the result. I’m not happy with their goal but I think they deserved the goal over the 90 minutes with their efforts.
“I also thought that we played defensively really well because the plan was to let them play in the spaces that we believe were not dangerous. It is a specific style of play which is really difficult to defend.
“When they changed their style of play we gambled a bit too much on both offensive wings and that left both Trent and Alberto (Moreno) alone so they could cross.
“I saw the penalty, I think it was offside – small but enough. During the game I thought it was much more offside. Simon together with John Achterberg together did a really good job (with the video analysis).
“Of course it was not that decisive but it gave us a boost and it was a blow for the other team.
“We scored two goals and could have scored more. They were good set-pieces from us.
“Dejan (Lovren) had a great header and Joel (Matip) played outstandingly good, but I would have scored in that moment!”
