[EL] FC Augsburg (A): Post Match

[The_weatherman]

Milner and Henderson are just way too similar, they both even slide into tackles and sell themselves or foul in the process, one of them at least needs be benched and Can needs to find consistency. We lost that in the midfield, defence was OK but we didnt create anythin of note.

That said I think Augsburg were really well organised and hellbent on not conceding, will be tough to get past them at Anfield.

[pezzzer]

What's on the weekend then, a trip to watch someone else's FA cup match?

A weekend of klopps insightful training routines for them to hopefully start learning

[Red_Polo]

A weekend of klopps insightful training routines for them to hopefully start learning

Starting with how to pass forwards maybe?

[Tribute]

After the uplifting Villa performance and scoreline, you'd think they'd be a bit more revved up for the Europa League seeing as they have no weekend game? Poor decision-making/final ball/finishing - no wonder Klopp's frustration is for consistency. We go from the highs of the 6-0 Villa game to a woeful 0-0 against a poor German side.

Henderson should be busting his guts to prove he's a worthy successor to Gerrard's captaincy - instead he's gone backwards this season. As have a few other players. The message from Klopp should be loud and clear 'no-one is guaranteed to be here next year, you have to show me you have the attitude, intelligence and spirit to stay'

I don't want a major clearout in the summer, but a few key quality signings for the spine of the team. However, at this point in time, I'd be hard-pushed to select more than a handful from the squad who are showing the talent and intelligence to be here next season.

[ntto]

didn't look like Sturridge flat out sprinted last night at all

[Shaggy]

Can really worries me. He looks so slow in the midfield. Hopefully he just needs a break. And Henderson right now is far from the level he's previously shown. I think these two among with Milner will be dropped to the bench next season more often then not...

Milner and Henderson are just way too similar, they both even slide into tackles and sell themselves or foul in the process, one of them at least needs be benched and Can needs to find consistency. We lost that in the midfield, defence was OK but we didnt create anythin of note.

That said I think Augsburg were really well organised and hellbent on not conceding, will be tough to get past them at Anfield.

Said it before but they're all too similar. Loads of work and graft but not much guile. If we got Coutinho in as one of the three things would look much better IMO.

[Phoenix07]

Long term, Klopp will probably go for the 4-2-3-1, and Coutinho isn't really a specialist for any of the roles in there.

We needed wingers in there to stretch the play. You saw in the second half when Milner played further on the right, and we started creating things.

[Phoenix07]

Jurgen Klopp admitted he was not particularly happy with Liverpool's performance in the 0-0 draw at Augsburg.

The Reds were held in their Europa League round-of-32 first-leg clash in Germany, Klopp's first management return to his native country since leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

The clash was lacking in chances, and despite insisting the result itself was not bad, Klopp was unhappy with the way his side played.

"We had a few chances, but I can't say I am particularly happy," said Klopp. "There's no point getting carried away, 0-0 away from home isn't a bad result, but we still have a lot of work to do.

"We didn't really get our pressing game going, we didn't get into our rhythm and failed to impose ourselves in midfield.

"There were a lot of things we could have done better."

Striker Daniel Sturridge had the best chance early in the second half but fluffed his kick six yards out.

It makes the second leg next week, just three days before a Capital One Cup final against Manchester City, a challenging affair.

"Doing the right thing at the right moment is important - we had a few good moments and in the second half we had three or four really good moves. My problem is that I think, with our quality, we should do better, but I have to be patient.

"It's not too easy to find the right words. I could say it's a draw, 0-0 away game, everything is 'Okay, we can win at home, everything's cool', but in our situation I'm always interested in the performance."

Liverpool have a weekend off as they are not in the FA Cup but Klopp was confident about the challenge of managing the return leg with a trip to Wembley on the horizon.

"A strong team in second leg? Yes, I think so. Maybe it's a different team, but we should not think too much about the final," he added.

"I will not ignore it (the final) of course but it doesn't complicate my plans. We should be concentrated Thursday and Sunday will take care of itself.

"The players didn't underestimate Augsburg, when we play in the return we will be very well prepared - they may not be Munich or Paris, but we will be very well prepared.

"We need to improve on things. We have a big final ahead of us."

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...aw-at-augsburg

[RedReet]

Said it before but they're all too similar. Loads of work and graft but not much guile. If we got Coutinho in as one of the three things would look much better IMO.

He showed a few times last night when he dropped deep and bypassed their whole midfield with a drop of the shoulder or quick turn how effective he can be there. He was about the only positive from last night player wise, although obviously it was good to get another clean sheet.

How did Kolo miss though?

[The_weatherman]

Said it before but they're all too similar. Loads of work and graft but not much guile. If we got Coutinho in as one of the three things would look much better IMO.

Can has time on his side but seriously lacks consistency, but the other two are just the same player really.

Milner infuriates me at times when he slides in towards players instead of trying to block off passing lanes, so easy to get by him. Henderson is picking this up from him too, we need more intelligent players, it can be useful to have one runner in the team but two runners who just steam on into everything is not working.

I could see like to see something like this, with similar players at least, not exact ones.

Lucas
Henderson - Coutinho

[cream]

Long term, Klopp will probably go for the 4-2-3-1, and Coutinho isn't really a specialist for any of the roles in there.

We needed wingers in there to stretch the play. You saw in the second half when Milner played further on the right, and we started creating things.

Agree with that. The way Klopp keeps talking about the lack of wide players you know it's gonna be a priority come summer, along with a proper midfielder.

The current team isn't good enough, yes we smashed six past Villa but they were truly awful. Major surgery is required with at least 5 new players coming in to the first team and a ****load being moved on.

[BigChief]

The pitch from distant camera shots looked good, but I started noticing bobbles in the centre circle when Can/Hendo tried controlling the ball. With some close up shots you could see the turf was far from perfect.

Still no excuse but I wouldn't be surprised if our walking wounded were taking it careful (Hendo, Coutinho, Sturridge). Maybe under instructions? And when that happens the first thing that goes missing is the effective pressing. We'll beat them comfortably on our ground, I just hope Klopp trusts some of our second string to achieve the result (Brannagan, Tex with Origi up front). Keep the likes of Coutinho and Sturridge on the bench in case we need them.

[marksared]

Personally, i just appreciate the honesty from Klopp when he reflects on a performance, it just so refreshing and reassuring to hear that the manager has and is identifying the problems that are so glaring to the fans.

After sitting through that crap last night all i need to hear from the manager is that he is addressing the situation, i have a pain n my arse listening to managers paint a pretty picture when it is completely out of context with the game.

[Maxiedge]

If anyone thinks Klopp told the players not to go full pelt, then you're deluded.

It's aboslute suicide in the modern game to say that before a match especially away from home against a team that will be on the front foot.

Europa League is a great opportunity for us to get in the CL and last night was a big game and it was a fairly decent result on paper.

I don't think the home leg is a formality at all and can see it going to extra time and penalties. As I said, we struggle against energetic sides as players like Milner and Henderson are not 'quick in the mind' enough. Can has a few more tricks up his sleeve and thats why I'm more optimistic about his future at the club even though he's very inconsistent at the moment.

Two things noticable last night from our so-called strongest midfield/attack:

1) We have no pace on the counter
2) We play an awful lot through the flanks with Moreno and Clyne supporting the attack. It's happened all season.Would prefer it if Coutinho, Sturridge and Firmino could cut through with their guile through the centre. They don't strike me as players that like to feed off crosses from the side.

[The_weatherman]

If anyone thinks Klopp told the players not to go full pelt, then you're deluded.

It's aboslute suicide in the modern game to say that before a match especially away from home against a team that will be on the front foot.

Europa League is a great opportunity for us to get in the CL and last night was a big game and it was a farilt decent result on paper.

I don't think the home leg is a formality at all and can see it going to extra time and penalties. As I said, we struggle against energetic sides as players like Milner and Henderson are not 'quick in the mind' enough. Can has a few more tricks up his sleeve and thats why I'm more optimistic about his future at the club even though he's very inconsistent at the moment.

Europa League is an opportunity, not a great one IMO, there teams like Villareal, Napoli, Spurs, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Porto, Shaktar, Dortmund and Midtjylland that are also trying to win it. Seriously difficult IMO.