TSG Hoffenheim saw their hopes of a first ever appearance in the Champions League group stages ended by 6-3 aggregate defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The English Premier League outfit, with Germany international Emre Can in the side picked by former Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp, won 4-2 on the night to book their place in Europe’s top club competition for 2017/18.
Three early goals, two from Can and one from Mo Salah, effectively put the tie to bed before the half hour, giving Julian Nagelsmann’s Bundesliga side too much to make up.
Mark Uth pulled one back before half time but a Roberto Firmino strike restored the three-goal cushion before a late Sandro Wagner consolation for the visitors.Julian Nagelsmann’s side now join fellow Bundesliga sides FC Köln and Hertha BSC in the Europa League draw on Friday.
Can opened the scoring following a cheeky back-heel from Sadio Mané before Salah pounced from close range for the second.
Can then knocked home a third on the counter before Uth gave the Bundesliga side hope with a neat finish from the edge of the box.
Hoffenheim enjoyed plenty of possession after the break, but were unable to find the back of the Liverpool net and were punished after the hour after a mix up at the back allowed Jordan Henderson to race through and set up Firmino for a fourth.
Wagner’s header for TSG was just desserts for their hard work, but it could do nothing to change the mood, and Anfield erupted with delight at the final whistle.
Both sides will have an eye on Nyon on Friday, as Liverpool await their Champions League group stage opponents, and Hoffenheim look to see who they’ll draw in the Europa League.