Liverpool CAN do it without Coutinho! Emre Can bags early double as the Reds make Champions League group stages for the 1st time since 2014-15 season
Liverpool stormed into the group stages of the Champions League as an irresistible first-half display against Hoffenheim at Anfield secured a 4-2 win and a 6-3 aggregate success.
Jurgen Klopp's side rode their luck at times during the 2-1 first-leg victory in Germany last week and they were keen to leave no semblance of doubt on home soil.
Midfielder Emre Can was an unlikely goal hero – striking twice either side of Mohamed Salah's 18th-minute second.
Mark Uth reduced the arrears before an unrelenting contest reached the half hour and Germany international Can almost claimed the matchball before the interval.
Home forwards Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino performed with palpable menace throughout, with the latter adding a fourth as his Brazil team-mate and Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho remained on the sidelines.
Sandro Wagner briefly punctuated the party atmosphere with a 79th-minute consolation but, in this mood, Klopp's men will not be an opponent desired by Europe's leading lights when they are placed in pot three for Thursday's Champions League draw.
3' The ball breaks to Salah about 15 yards out, but he heads over the crossbar!
4' Liverpool should be well on their way here. Mane gets released in behind and has just Baumann to beat. The goalkeeper makes himself big and blocks it away. Big chance. Great start by the Reds.
11' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Hoffenheim (Can). Mane gets slid in behind and races towards goal. Vogt gets back to force Mane away from goal but he cleverly back-heels the ball into Can's path and he takes a touch before burying it! Hoffenheim need two to force extra-time.
18' GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Hoffenheim (Salah). Brilliant playfrom Wijnaldum. He bursts into the box and whips an effort towards goal which cannons back off the post. The German defenders stop and stare while Salah anticipates it. He knocks it home from close range.
21' GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Hoffenheim (Can). Liverpool are finding so much space. This time Firmino breaks down the left and has options in the middle. Salah goes for the pull-back but the Brazilian fires the ball across goal for Can to hammer home from eight yards.
26' Moreno gives the ball away andKramaric finds Gnabry with a clever ball in behind Matip. The former Arsenal man sprints away but lofts an effort inches wide of the post.
29' GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Hoffenheim (Uth). Hoffenheim throw men forward and Lovren gets caught with the ball. The Germans work the ball to the right with Uth, who gets in on the overlap. He takes a touch and fires a low effort into the far corner.
36' Super play from Liverpool. Salah is released by Alexander-Arnold down the right and he fizzes a quick ball across goal. Firmino is waiting about six yards out but he hits his effort straight at Baumann. He blocks it away.
42' Fantastic play again. Mane holds the ball up and flicks a lovely ball into Can. He opens his body up from 20 yards and tries to whip one into the far corner. So close to the hat-trick! Just wide.
55' Excellent hold-up play from Salah - he flicks a ball for Wijnaldum to chase and he gets there first. He's only got the goalkeeper to beat but he blazes it over the crossbar.
58' Mane makes an opportunity for himself down the left edge of the box. He drives into the box then tests Baumann with an effort at his near post. The goalkeeper parries it away.
63' GOAL! Liverpool 4-1 Hoffenheim (Firmino). Vogt - the skipper - bottles a challenge in midfield with Henderson, who wants it more. He runs through on goal and slides the ball to Firmino. The Brazilian can't miss from six yards out. Liverpool putting on a show here.
79' GOAL! Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim (Wagner). Liverpool continue to look very wobbly at the back. A good ball in from the left finds Wagner about 12 yards out and reverses a header into the far corner. Far too easy.
