Trent Alexander-Arnold hails "dream" European debut with Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold has described his European debut for Liverpool as "a thing of dreams" after scoring the opener in the club's 2-1 win over Hoffenheim.

The 18-year-old netted a free kick 35 minutes into Tuesday's Champions League playoff first leg at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena before Havard Nordtveit turned into his own net to extend the Reds' lead.

Mark Uth's 87th-minute strike, however, gave Hoffenheim a boost ahead of the return leg at Anfield next Wednesday, which Alexander-Arnold admits has left his side disappointed.

The full-back told BT Sport: "It's a thing of dreams to make your European debut for your boyhood club and especially to mark it with a goal.

"We're disappointed with the late goal but it's good to take a lead back to Anfield.

"I got egged on to take the free kick. I had the confidence to finally take it. We know it won't be an easy game but we have strategies to beat them."

Liverpool will be looking to seal a return to the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2014.