Klopp elated as Liverpool reach Champions League group stage

Liverpool Boss, Jurgen Klopp, was short of words after his side defeated Hoffenheim 4-2 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff on Wednesday night.

The Reds have thus grabbed a ticket to the group stages of the competition after coming out winners in the tie with 6-3 on aggregate.

“I do not have enough words it is amazing,” Klopp said after the victory. “It is 14 months of the hardest work and it feels amazing. I can’t find another word.”

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, the Reds virtually wrapped up the tie with three goals in the opening 20 minutes, with Mohamed Sallah’s 18th-minute goal in-between Emre Can’s brace on 15th and 20th minutes.

Hoffenheim substitute Mark Uth, introduced after 24 minutes in a tactical reshuffle, pulled one back on 28 minutes to end the first half at 3-1.

Read Also: Joshua backs Mayweather to beat McGregor

Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool’s fourth after the break before the visitors pulled another one back when Sandro Wagner headed in Andrej Kramaric’s left-wing cross for the game to end 4-2.

Klopp added: “We didn’t think we were the favourites but everyone else did so we had the pressure but the boys did good.”

The win ensured that five English sides – Liverpool along with Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United – will compete in the Champions League group stage for the first time.

The teams will discover their group stage opponents on Thursday when the draw will be made.

About the draw, Klopp said: “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!”

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now