Trent Alexander-Arnold was the hero on Tuesday night as Liverpool have one foot into the Group Stages of the Champions League, with a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in the first leg.
Liverpool came into the game facing a daunting task – to do what Bayern Munich had failed to do last season; beat Hoffenheim in their own backyard, that too in the absence of Philippe Coutinho.
And as the game started, Hoffenheim were seen as the better side on the pitch, with Julian Nagelsmann’s men unlucky to not take the lead while they also had a penalty saved.
In the end, goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Havard Nordtveit (own goal) secured a narrow advantage for Liverpool going into the home leg, with Hoffenheim pulling one back late on with the help of Mark Uth.
However, Liverpool fans were ecstatic with the football on display by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who gave a matured and reassuring performance on Tuesday night.
First Champions League game ✅
First Liverpool goal ✅Trent-Alexander Arnold scores on his debut in Europe for Liverpool.
Pinpoint. ? pic.twitter.com/mD0HKPma9M
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander-Arnold scores a freekick for Liverpool that is as spectacular as his name.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander-Arnold the 18 year old RB now has more Champions League goals than £100m rated Philippe Coutinho
— Jamie (@VerrattiLDN) August 15, 2017
I DON’T WANT TO RUSH TO ANY CONCLUSIONS AFTER THAT FREE KICK BUT TRENT ALEXANDER ARNOLD IS GREATEST RIGHT BACK IN FOOTBALL HISTORY
— Cam/Cammeister (@xCammeister95x) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander-Arnold is so good he could have intercepted Coutinho’s transfer request before it reached Mike Edwards.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander-Arnold. Local lad from West Derby. First scouser to score for Liverpool since Steven Gerrard. Exciting career ahead. ?#LFC pic.twitter.com/v7rzzZng7V
— Aidan Semple (@LWOSAidan) August 15, 2017
BREAKING NEWS – @FCBarcelona submit £100m bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold
— Klopptimus Prime (@PrimeKlopptimus) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander Arnold. The best player in a Liverpool shirt
— Femotelli (@FemPDT) August 15, 2017
Trent Alexander Arnold is a world-class talent.
— Liverpool FC 360 (@LFC_360) August 15, 2017
Trent-Alexander Arnold is a breath of fresh air. Composed , Great balance and reading of the game ##TSGLFC
— Daksh Hassija (@Daksh_LFC) August 15, 2017
The Kop also reserved praise for Simon Mignolet, who saved the penalty early on in the first half, barring which the match could have taken a different shape altogether.
He’s our keeper
Our Belgian keeper
It’s Simon Mignolet
A Mignolet
A Mignolet
A Mignolet
A Mignolet pic.twitter.com/cgeTcNizA2— LFCPhilly (@LFCPhilly_YNWA) August 15, 2017
Gerrard right on Mignolet. Those floaty middle penalties are scored all the time. Mignolet done his homework and bravely stayed in same spot
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 15, 2017
There were some words of praise and appreciation for Hoffenheim manager Julien Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann has tactically outclassed Klopp in practically every aspect so far, unfortunately Liverpool have had luck on their side
— Öß (@DerGuardiola) August 15, 2017
Pep needs £700m to play football as good as Julian Nagelsmann pic.twitter.com/TD8IhkOdl2
— Lucky (@StanfieId) August 15, 2017
Exciting attacking football from both teams. Nagelsmann can be one of those top managers if he consistently brings hoffenheim to TOP 4.
— • (@Kroossant) August 16, 2017
It is going to be an interesting second leg up ahead.
