Liverpool begin their quest for the Champions League group stages on Tuesday as they face a trip to Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in the fist-leg of their play-off clash.

Jurgen Klopp’s side began the season with a draw at Watford as Saturday, and they will be hoping for positive result in Germany.

Hoffenheim also began their domestic campaign at the weekend with victory in the German Cup, before their start their league season this coming Saturday – but before that they host Liverpool in their first ever European match.

Klopp is in confident mood ahead of the clash and said: “We fought really hard for this opportunity.

“It’s good to have the chance to do it, even though we know it will be hard. We know more about Hoffenheim that you can imagine.

“They are strong, we are strong and both have the big aim to go into the group stage so that makes it really exciting.”

Hoffenheim boss, Julian Nagelsmann – one of the most talked about young coaches in world football aged just 30, knows it will take a big effort to overcome Klopp and Liverpool.

“Of course we know Liverpool is the favourite in this encounter and we know we can, with a good match, shock our opponent,” he said.

“I don’t know if we need to shock them or the English public but I can also say we need an absolutely top performance in order to do that.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday; Azerbaijan champions host FC Copenhagen, Sporting Lisbon face Steaua Bucharest, Young Boys tackle CSKA Moscow and Cypriots APOEL Nicosia take on Slavia Prague.

See below for a run-down on the game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder and GamblingTimes.com columnist Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey  together with everything you need to know from the bookies – with BoyleSports’s Leon Blanche.

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Hoffenheim 19:45 Liverpool
15th August, 2017

Rhein-Neckar-Arena

1st leg 

TEAM NEWS: Liverpool arrive with a number of big names for the clash with England international trio Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana all injured whilst wantaway Philippe Coutinho remains absent.
KEY FACT: Liverpool unbeaten in last six meetings with German clubs
MATCH ODDS: Hoffenheim 2/1 Draw 12/5 Liverpool 7/5
ANDY SAYS: I think this will be comfortable win for Liverpool – 1-3
GRAEME SAYS: Not sure Liverpool will have this all their own way – 1-1
SILKY SAYS: Yeah Liverpool will not have a problem here – 1-3
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Roberto Firmino to score anytime @7/4
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Has to be Roberto Firmino looked at, £2.08 looks a great price for the former Hoffenheim man