Champions League

Roberto Firmino’s Masterclass Must Win Him More Admirers

Liverpool were sensational at times against Hoffenheim as they reached the Champions League group stage on Wednesday, playing the kind of football that any Reds team throughout history would have been proud of. The way in which Jurgen Klopp’s side blew their naive opponents away at Anfield, especially in the first-half, really was a sight...

Liverpool v Arsenal Preview – Key Battles

Liverpool are back in the Champions League proper. The draw for the group stages could have been far worse than it has ended up being, but for now, that doesn't matter. What matters is Sunday evening at Anfield, for the first high-profile Premier League game of the season. When Arsenal came to Anfield last season...

Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim: A Tactical Breakdown

Anfield, under lights, with a European fixture: the stage was set. Klopp's Liverpool did not disappoint, with perhaps the best team performance of the calendar year, Liverpool's attacking play was simply breathtaking, as the team dispatched Hoffenheim over the first 20 minutes. With the same midfield as the first-leg, and the first league game of...

Liverpool FC – Optimism Creeping in

The season is rolling. And, boy, has it been eventful. Games are coming fast one after the other, leaving supporters little time to reflect on what is happening. We are always looking ahead to the next game. As I am writing this the focus has already shifted from the win against Palace on Saturday...

Liverpool v Hoffenheim 2nd Leg Preview – Finishing the Job

The Details Venue: Anfield Date & Time: August 23rd, 2017 @ 19:45 BST Form Hoffenheim got their Bundesliga campaign off to a winning start on Saturday, with a 1-0 home victory against Werder Bremen. Now they will be hoping to recuperate before their visit to Anfield as they aim to prolong their maiden visit to the top table...

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Local Hero

I know it shouldn’t be important, but it is. I know it should just be about the team, but this isn’t. I know that it shouldn’t matter who scores for Liverpool, but on this occasion it means the world. When Trent Alexander-Arnold wheeled away in celebration in Germany this week, and tried gamely to calm his mind...

Observations as Liverpool edge ahead in first-leg against Hoffenheim

And breathe… It was a nervy night for us Liverpool fans as the first-leg of the Champions League qualifier got under way with a trip to Hoffenheim. Shaky straight off the bat, the German outfit looked capable of causing real problems for Klopp’s side, who’s defensive frailties are well documented. That was confounded by an 11th...

How should Liverpool approach the domestic cups?

Despite having the added demands of European football, the domestic cup competitions should be seen by Liverpool supporters and more importantly the manager as genuine chances of silverware this season. This is not to say big players shouldn't be rested in the league cup and FA cup, they will have to be. But with...

Why Liverpool are proving me wrong this summer

As Liverpool swept Middlesbrough aside on the final day of the season, I was filled with optimism. Let the fun begin, I thought We had Klopp, Champions League football and reportedly a rather large pot of gold to splurge on some much-needed transfers. Most importantly, we'd experienced sensible - logical - progression. We'd moved from a...

1899 Hoffenheim – The Germans Rags To Riches Story

And so it all comes down to Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim e.V., or 1899 Hoffenheim for short. I might start giving them their full name though. I’m definitely getting a half and half scarf. Being a relatively new club   on the European stage there isn’t a great deal known about the men from Baden-Wurttemberg...