Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann reacted angrily to Jurgen Klopp's suggestion that Liverpool nullified the threat of the Bundesliga outfit for long periods of the Champions League play-off first leg.

The Reds won 2-1 in Germany with Klopp claiming that his side “played defensively really well because the plan was to let them play in the spaces that we believe were not dangerous”.

However, Nagelsmann, whose team enjoyed 63% possession, believes Klopp was just putting a positive spin on the fact that Liverpool were on the back foot for much of the contest at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

“No, I don’t agree,” said Nagelsmann.

“We had the ball in many important spaces. He has to say that and defend his team.

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“He won’t say ‘Hoffenheim played so well and we were s***’. I can give one example when (Sandro) Wagner played a square pass into space that was an important ball and another situations with Serge Gnabry and many others.”

Nagelsmann insisted defeat was cruel on his players as Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick was followed by James Milner's cross being deflected in off substitute Havard Nordtveit.

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“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 Gnabry and the penalty, which was a bit unlucky.

James Pearce on the first leg win against Hoffenheim

“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. We weren't the worst team but the least lucky.”