Liverpool meet Hoffenheim in ECL qualifier

Liverpool will play Hoffenheim in the Champions League play-off round.

The draw sees Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp return to his native Germany and striker Roberto Firmino take on his former club.

Scottish champions Celtic meet Kazakhstan side Astana, who they beat in the third qualifying round last season.

A fourth-place finish last season carried Hoffenheim into Europe for the first-time and they face a baptism of fire against the five-time continental champions from the Premier League.

Other pairings of note include Serie A side Napoli facing Ligue 1 team Nice, who disposed of Ajax in the third qualifying round, and Spanish five-time Europa League winners Sevilla taking on Istanbul Basaksehir of Turkey.

The first legs will be played August 15-16 with the returns a week later on August 22-23.

The draw for the group stage, which will include holders Real Madrid among Europe's elite, is August 24.

Ukraine's capital Kiev will host the final on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF DRAW

Qarabag v Copenhagen

Apoel v Slavia Prague

Olympiacos v Rijeka

Celtic v Astana

Hapoel Be'er Sheva v Maribor

Istanbul Basaksehir v Sevilla

Young Boys v CSKA Moscow

Napoli v Nice

Hoffenheim v Liverpool

Sporting Lisbon v Steaua Bucharest