Andrej Kramaric says Hoffenheim will need to "bring more than 100 percent to the pitch" to overcome Liverpool and reach the Champions League group stage.
Kramaric, 26, scored 15 goals and set up a further eight last season as Hoffenheim qualified for the Champions League playoff round where they will meet Liverpool, with the first leg to be played at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday.
The Croatia international, who joined Hoffenheim from Leicester in January 2016 -- first on loan before sealing a permanent transfer last summer -- says the Bundesliga club go into the tie as clear "outsiders" but have the ability to cause an upset.
"They are not bad at all," Kramaric told kicker. "But they also know what's at stake for them. If they miss out on the Champions League, it's like losing a complete season for them.
"All of the pressure's on their side, but they have played so many big games with this pressure. I've seen quite a few and it will be extremely difficult.
"I hope that we are ready for such a task, both in our heads and our legs. We'd basically have to bring more than 100 percent to the pitch, but we need to believe and be confident about it.
"[We need] a good plan so everyone knows what do to in every second of the match. But the outsider often makes it through to the next round. It's like a final of a major competition for us."
Serge Gnabry, who made his competitive debut for Hoffenheim in the 1-0 DFB Pokal win at Erfurt on Saturday, is looking forward to returning to England to face Liverpool following his time at Arsenal.
"We definitely have a chance," he told reporters. "There's a bit more excitement in it. But regardless, it will remain routine and we need to try to win those games as a team."