Champions League

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Attendance: 51,808

Champions League Qualifying | Playoffs

Aug 23, 2017 at 7.45pm UK

Liverpool
4-2
Hoffenheim

Can (10', 21'), Salah (18'), Firmino (63')

FT(HT: 3-1)

Uth (28'), Wagner (79')

Jurgen Klopp: 'I have told the Liverpool players to party'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 23 August 2017

Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool players to "party" after reaching the group stages of the Champions League on Wednesday night with victory over Hoffenheim.

Jurgen Klopp has told his Liverpool players to "party" after reaching the group stages of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Reds sealed a 4-2 win over Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim at Anfield in the second leg of their playoff for a 6-3 aggregate victory.

Liverpool's result means that they have returned to the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.

Klopp told BT Sport after the game: "We wanted a fast start and fulfilled our dream. It was fantastic.

"Playing Hoffenheim was the most difficult draw, alongside Napoli, we had two unbelievably hard games. We learned from the first game and adapted to a little change when they changed from five at the back to four at the back.

"We are really excited about the group stage, whoever we get. There will be a few nice and difficult opponents but no-one with this atmosphere wants to get us. I'm really looking forward to the draw. Now I've told the boys to party. Enjoy it!"

Klopp has overseen seven European games - including qualifiers - as Liverpool manager at Anfield, with the Reds winning each of the last six.