Liverpool scrape through with early penalty against German underdogs Augsburg

Liverpool scrape through with early penalty against German underdogs Augsburg

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Liverpool 1: Milner 5' (pen) Augsburg 0:

Pre-game Thoughts: Only one change from the first leg away from home a week ago with Lucas getting the call to fill in at the back in place of Kolo Toure. Hopefully the lads and the crowd can rise to the challenge.There is maybe an early warning shot of things to come in the first minute as Caiuby latches on to a ball in acres of space, but thankfully fires the shot over the crossbar. 
  
GOAL! Augsburg midfielder Kohr accidentally handles the ball in the box after being nudged by a teammate on a cross. It's harsh and surprising, but a penalty is awarded, and Milner coolly slots it home low to the keeper’s left, 1-0 to us. 


Firmino goes glory hunting, trying to hit a half-volley from distance, but it innocently bounces past the far post. He had Milner and (an offside) Sturridge in the box ahead of him, and both are a wee bit upset at the Brazilian's decision making. We aren't exactly buzzing, but they are creating some early chances. 

Sturridge goes a bit early again and the play is stopped for offside. Moments later Coutinho gets through but fires his first-time shot straight at the keeper.

The Reds are really starting to look dangerous going forward as they grow into the game. Unfortunately, Augsburg have also looked dangerous in their few forays into our territory. 

Lucas nearly commits a disastrous error. His dreadful back pass never reached Mignolet, instead falling to Caiuby, who thankfully can't take full advantage of the situation. 

Halftime: The Mighty Reds will be disappointed not to be in further in front at the half after a pretty dominant performance so far. We have nearly 60% of the possession, more corners (7-1), more shots (7-3), and more shots on target (5-1). But Augsburg are still very much in this, as an equalizer would suddenly put us in danger of elimination. 

 Sturridge shoots just wide of the far post with a right-footed effort from inside the box. He was offside (again) but the flag stayed down and he should have made it 2-0 there with his weaker right foot.Because we need to continue being bad for the old heart, an Augsburg set play creates a dangerous chance for the visitors just moments after Sturridge's shot. Milner putting in a pretty good shift tonight. 

Been making runs in behind all night, and linking up well with the front three. 

If we dominated the first half, the run of play is much more even after the first 15 minutes of the second.

Hendo completely misses Milner making a run into space, instead giving it away trying to thread a difficult pass into the box. Our manager Klopp is not overly impressed with the captain's decision. 

Origi comes on for Sturridge. Danny ain't too happy about being taken off. He'll be even more upset when the trainers put him in bubble wrap, and lock him away until Sunday. 

Mignolet comes up big again! Quickly coming off the line to save a 1v1. It's official, we are just not going to get a second goal tonight. Henderson hits a sitter straight at the keeper, and anxiety continues to rise at Anfield. Teixeira comes on for Coutinho.

BIG chance for Augsburg. Five minutes left in regulation and at least as five heart attacks to survive between now and the final whistle. Speaking of which a free kick in a very dangerous area...which had Mignolet beat and very nearly curls and creeps in the top corner.

Is it play it into the corner and waste time time? You betcha but our game management makes a hash of this and Augsburg have their last chance which their main striker Bobadillo hits over!!! Phew !!!! .

Full Time: It was just enough. It was a night where Liverpool created enough to put the tie to bed early, but that second goal just wasn't going to come. Regardless, this is Europe, and all that matters is surviving and advancing. And advance they did, on to the Round of 16!
 

Man of the match – James Milner – his workrate, constant running and vital penalty mean that we are through and go into the final with a win despite it not being emphatic.

Special mentions – Mignolet - solid performance and no real dodgy moments for a change. Sturridge/Coutinho/Firmino trio – in the first half showed the potential threat these three playing together are able to provide moving forward.

Liverpool XI 4-2-3-1): Mignolet: Clyne, Lucas, Sakho, Moreno: Henderson, Can: Milner, Firmino, Coutinho(Teixeira 79mins): Sturridge (Origi 66mins)

Subs not used: Ward, Toure, Benteke, Origi, Smith, Teixeira, Chirivella

Goals: Milner (pen) 5

Booked: Firmino        

                      

Augsburg XI (4-2-3-1): Hitz: Verhaegh, Janker(Parker 89mins), Klavan, Stafylidis: Esswein, Altintop: Werner(Bobadilla 72mins), Ja-Cheol (Moravek 79mins), Caiuby: Kohr

Subs not used: Manninger, Opare, Parker, Max, Rieder 

Booked: Stafylidis, Caiuby, Janker

Attendance: 43,801

Referee: Clement Turpin (France)