Liverpool inflicted upon Hoffenheim their first home defeat in 16 months, and as such are strong favourites to reach the group stages of the Champions League. But Mark Uth’s late goal kept the tie alive and if the Germans find the finishing to match their approach-play, it will be a nervy night at Anfield next Wednesday.

Hoffenheim were much the better side in the first half, and on 11 minutes Serge Gnabry nutmegged Dejan Lovren in the box, who couldn't get out of his way and had no choice but to concede a penalty. Up stepped Andrej Kramaric, to deliver an unfathomably poor penalty, weak, low and close to Simon Mignolet, who saved easily.

And on 34 minutes came further punishment. Sadio Mane drew a foul from Benjamin Huber and from the resultant free-kick, 23 yards out, Trent Alexander-Arnold, a local lad aged just 18, curled home a perfect strike.

In the second half Hoffenheim again started well, but gradually ran out of ideas, and with 16 minutes to go Harvard Nordtveit deflected James Milner's cross past Oliver Baumann; with two away goals, Liverpool looked almost home. But then just before time, Uth's lovely take and finish sparked a late rally - Huber ought to have scored an equaliser subsequently - and it's all to play for next week.