Teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a magnificent free kick on his European debut to set Liverpool on the way to a 2-1 win at Hoffenheim which put them on the brink of a Champions League group stage place.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved an early penalty and James Milner's shot was deflected into his own net by Havard Nordtveit for the English Premier League side's second goal in an end-to-end match.
Alexander-Arnold, 18, who made his English Premier League debut in December, nailed a free kick through a gap in the Hoffenheim wall 10 minutes before halftime as Liverpool survived a rocky start.
It could have been very different if Andrej Kramaric had converted a penalty for the Bundesliga side in the 12th minute but he saw a weak effort saved by Mignolet.
Liverpool had another let-off just before halftime when Mignolet saved from Kramaric and Wagner rolled the rebound wide of the post.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Alexander-Arnold while attempting to keep a lid on the excitement surrounding the Liverpool-born youngster.
"He has to improve in all departments, that is clear, but offensively he is nice to watch and defensively he was good today," Klopp said.
"That is the challenge. We are fine. You saw him, he needs a long ice bath and a warm bed for recovery.
"It was a really good free-kick."
Hoffenheim, attempting to qualify for the group stage for the first time, had more possession but Liverpool were more threatening and went further ahead in the 77th minute.
The hosts lost possession trying to play their way out of defence, the ball was switched to substitute James Milner on the left and his shot from a narrow angle deflected off Nordtveit's chest and into the top corner.
Mark Uth pulled one back with three minutes left and Hoffenheim should have equalised in stoppage time but Benjamin Huebner sent a free header over the bar.
Elsewhere, Sporting Lisbon drew 0-0 with Steaua Bucharest in a 0-0, Qarabag FK beat FC Copenhagen 1-0; Apoel Nicosia edged Slavia Prague 2-0; and CSKA Moscow won 1-0 away at Young Boys.
The second leg ties take place on August 23.
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