Wednesday 16 August 2017 12:05, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold as an "incredible young player" after he scored against Hoffenheim in the first leg of their Champions League play-off round clash.
The 18-year-old stepped up ahead of more senior colleagues to whip in a set-piece and open the scoring with his first goal for the club on his European debut on Tuesday night.
Hoffenheim's late strike from Mark Uth came from Alexander-Arnold's side of defence after James Milner's cross had deflected in off Havard Nordtveit to make it 2-0, but Klopp accepts the youngster is still learning.
"I have to say, for an 18-year-old to have the balls to kick a free-kick is better than the mistake," he said. "He is an incredible young player. It was actually because I told him he had to do it - he was the only one who can. He can shoot free-kicks better than I ever could.
"I told him because I watched him many times for the Under-23s last season and he took the free-kicks - and the goal is the same size.
"There is a big challenge after training for free-kicks between him and Ben Woodburn (the club's youngest scorer, who does not turn 18 until October).
"It helps the manager tells him (to take it). It was very important and very good for us."
Despite conceding a late goal, Klopp insists he was happy with the scoreline to take back to Anfield for next week's second leg.
"If somebody told me we would win tonight, we would take each result - even an 8-7 - and so I am happy about the result," he added. "No, I'm not happy with the goal they scored but I think they deserved the goal for their effort over the 90 minutes.
"Yes, they had their moments, especially when they changed a little bit their style of play. But we were very offensive on both wings and that left Trent and Alberto (Moreno) alone."
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved an early penalty from former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric to give Liverpool some early confidence.
"I saw the penalty and I thought it was offside. Simon again with John Achterberg (goalkeeping coach) did a really good job," Klopp said. "It was a decisive moment of course, it gave us a boost and a blow for the other team."
Hoffenheim coach Julian Naglesmann felt his side were unfortunate to lose.
"I feel we played a really good match, especially in the first half and had the better, clearer chances," he said. "We had two good chances with (Serge) Gnabry and the penalty, which was a bit unlucky.
"We didn't allow loads of counter-attacks and then came the free-kick - and that was unlucky for us. The second goal Milner let himself celebrate but the shot was deflected so it was unlucky. We weren't the worst team today but the least lucky."
