Liverpool took a slender lead in their Champions League play-off with Hoffenheim.

Simon Mignolet came to the visitors’ aid early on when he saved Andrej Kramaric’s penalty after Dejan Lovren had fouled Serge Gnabry.

In an end-to-end game, the Reds found themselves ahead at half time courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s superb free kick to record his first goal for the club.

Jurgen Klopp’s side doubled their lead further in the second half when a deflected cross from substitute James Milner looped over goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

But a late strike from Mark Huth reduced the deficit for the Bundesliga side as Liverpool held onto the advantage ahead of next week’s return leg at Anfield.

Here were the key talking points from the Rhein-Neckar-Arena:

Reds’ job only half done

 

A narrow away win in Europe to a relatively dangerous opponent is still a good result for Liverpool but the job nowhere near as complete as it should have been.

Hoffenheim proved they are a capable side and only several smart saves from Mignolet, including for Kramaric’s penalty, restricted them to just the one goal.

Liverpool will be favourites to secure their progression in the second leg but Julien Nageslmann’s team are by no means completely out of the tie.

Given how numerous underdogs have enjoyed themselves at Anfield in recent months, it would be unwise for Liverpool to celebrate that one-goal lead just yet.

Alexander-Arnold stakes his claim

 

In Nathaniel Clyne’s current absence, Trent Alexander-Arnold has a serious opportunity to make Liverpool’s right-back spot his very own.

To say he has taken the chance with both hands would be an understatement.

Ever since an outing against Manchester United last season, he has continued to excel and took another giant step forward in Germany.

Few home-grown players could have wished to score a better goal to open their Liverpool account than teenager’s free kick which broke the deadlock.

Solid defensively throughout and a real threat going forward, it is easy to see why such high expectations placed have been on his shoulders within the club.

In a less than impressive defence, the 18-year-old is the standout performer and Clyne faces a real battle to reclaim a starring role upon his return to action..

Mane is still the main man

 

For all the focus Philippe Coutinho’s potential move to Barcelona has stolen, the identity of Liverpool’s main man appears to have been conveninently forgotten.

The talk has been of how Klopp’s side will cope without the Brazilian but that honour belongs to a player conspicuous in his presence in Hoffenheim.

No one can deny that Coutinho is a star performer but Sadio Mane remains very much the main threat in Liverpool’s current attacking line-up.

That was evident as the Senegal international threatened the Bundesliga outfit’s back line time and time again with his pace and direct running.

Given how they suffered when he was unavailable last season, Liverpool will be praying that Mane can stay both fit and firing throughout the current campaign.

Klopp needs more from Firmino

 

In a summer transfer window where strikers have moved at will, Klopp has preferred to place his faith in Roberto Firmino rather than recruit from elsewhere.

He will also be praying that Daniel Sturridge can shake off his injury troubles and hoping Dominic Solanke can offer a tangible contribution.

At this moment in time, that may have proven to be an unwise decision; Sturridge is sidelined once again and Firmino is yet to get properly going.

The Brazilian was close to being anonymous against his former club and missed a glorious chance to score and make the tie a far more comfortable affair.

Firmino needs to up his game and quick, or the decision not to sign a big-name striker this summer could come back to haunt both Klopp and Liverpool.