Liverpool held to goalless draw at Augsburg

A below-par Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by a spirited Augsburg side in the opening leg of the round of 32 tie at the WWK ARENA.

Coach Jurgen Klopp had dubbed the match the biggest in Augsburg’s history in the first meeting between the sides but may not have expected such stiff opposition on the night from a team fighting Bundesliga relegation, especially as he fielded the same side that trounced Aston Villa 6-0.

Both teams had their chances, Simon Mignolet denying Alexander Esswein with a decent save in the opening half whilst Daniel Sturridge missed a great opportunity in the second when only yards out.

Augsburg substitute Ji rattled Mignolet’s post late on with fine volley but a draw was probably the fair result on the night in a match of few clear opportunities.

The second leg comes only three days before Liverpool’s League Cup final against Manchester City. But they will likely face an Augsburg without key striker Raul Bobadilla, who limped off with a hamstring injury after 21 minutes.

8’ – CHANCE LIVERPOOL! A poor ball from Feulner goes straight to Firminho in a central position on the edge of the box but his effort is a tame one, scuffed straight at Hitz.

21’ – BOBADILLA LIMPS OFF! The Europa League’s leading scorer lasts just shy of a quarter and had been struggling from the outset with a hamstring injury.

45’ – GOOD SAVE MIGNOLET! Esswein skins Toure down the right then cuts back inside him but Mignolet stands firm to foil him.

53’ – GREAT CHANCE STURRIDGE! Good interchange play between Firminho and Milbner and the latter’s cross is on a plate in front of goal for Sturridge, who is too late on the trigger and it goes wide.

86’ – POST! Ji thumps a volley against the outside of Mignolet’s post.

That was the first meeting between the sides

Augsburg have only three wins in 16 games on their home ground this season.

Where’s Liverpool’s consistency? 6-0 against Villa at the weekend and 0-0 against a Bundesliga side at the wrong end of their table. True, the competitions are different but it has been the tale of Liverpool’s season and there seems no credible answer.

Tobias Werner (Augsburg): Was booked and substituted late on but his work rate and harrying qualities were exceptional, hurrying the Liverpool midfield and setting his own side on the attack in equal measure.

Augsburg: Hitz 6, Verhaegh 6, Janker 7, Klavan 7, Stafylidis 6, Kohr 6, Feulner 7, Esswein 7, Alintop 6, Werner 8, Bobadilla 5. Subs: Koo Ja-cheol 6, Ji Dong-won 6, Caiuby 6.

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 6, Toure 6, Sakho 6, Moreno 7, Henderson 7, Can 6, Milner 6, Coutinho 7, Firmino 6, Sturridge 6. Subs: Ibe 6, Origi 6.