Liverpool have confirmed their place into the group stage of the Champions League with a 4-2 second leg defeat of TSG 1899 Hoffenhiem for a 6-3 aggregate win.
Three goals in the first twenty one minutes propelled the Reds to their second appearance in the CL in eight years, as they continued their unbeaten run against German oppositions.
German international, Emre Can opened the scoring in the 10th minute, before Mohammed Salah doubled their lead eight minutes later.
It was 3-0 to the home side when Can scored again, three minutes after Salah’s goal.
Hoffenhiem pulled one back through substitute, Mark Uth in the 28th minute, before Roberto Firmino scored against his former club just after the hour mark to make it 4-1.
Sandro Wagner grabbed a second for the away side, but it was nothing but a late consolation as Liverpool held on to book their place in Thursday group stage draws in Monaco.
“This club belongs in the UEFA Champions League,” Emre Can said to ZDF moments after the match.
“We’ve worked hard for this. There are still things we could have done better. We pressed well, we moved the ball well, but are disappointed to have conceded twice.
“My goals weren’t the most difficult I’ve ever scored and I’m just happy to have helped the team achieve our goal. We deserved to get through when you look at the two legs,” the German international added.
Elsewhere, Sporting CP defeated Steaua Bucuresti 5-1 in Romania to book their place in the group stage on a 5-1 aggregate score.
Danish side, failed to make home advantage count as they crashed out despite beating Qarabag FK 2-1, on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw, as Qarabag won the first leg 1-0.
CSKVA Moskva made it five in five, as the emerged 3-0 aggregate winners over Young Boys, while Apoel qualified 2-0 on aggregate, after holding Slavia Praha to a goalless draw in the second leg.
The draws for the group stage of the CL hold tomorrow in Monaco, France.
Full Results:
Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenhiem
FC Copenhagen 2-1 Qarabag FK
CSKA Moskva 2-0 BSC Young Boys
Slavia Praha 0-0 Apoel
FCSB 1-5 Sporting CP
