Klopp insisted that there are more than two excellent teams in the Bundesliga

In trying circumstances, with one of his best players crying mutiny and the return of bad habits raising questions as to just what Liverpool do on the training ground, Jürgen Klopp might regard his homeland as something of a haven.

Yet he arrived in Germany aware that another trap lies in wait, with ambitious, young upstarts seeking to ambush their vaunted rivals’ Champions League hopes. Hoffenheim proved themselves among the most potent sides from set pieces in the Bundesliga last season and are aggressive to boot.

Liverpool’s bid to negotiate the qualifying play-off round, and rub shoulders with Europe’s elite in the group stage for only the second time in eight years, suddenly feels fraught with danger.

“England play Germany and you can go out