Liverpool Fail To Score; Leave European Fate to Anfield Rematch

For whatever reason, Liverpool have looked better in cups and foreign leagues than they have domestically, at least from a consistency point.  So, it's no wonder that before their first-leg match with Augsburg, Jurgen Klopp flat out said that the Europa League is perhaps the Reds' best chance at gaining access to the Champions League.

It was an ambitious start by both clubs.  The first five minutes looked more like a hockey game than the kind of football games many are used to seeing.  The ball pinged back and forth between teams and up and down the field with more time going forward than spent possessing in the midfield.

One of the negatives of that kind of page was it showed Daniel Sturridge's unwillingness to go full sprint if he doesn't absolutely know he'll win the ball.  That was something we've seen in the past, several times in fact, given his injury history.  It's understandable, but frustrating when compared to the constant energy and fire Liverpool fans had grown accustomed to seeing out of former striker Luis Suarez.

First quarter hour was extremely uneventful.  Firmino had a good opportunity in the 8th minute, but not only did he slip initially but he somewhat flubbed the shot off his left foot after cutting it back nicely past the initial defender.

Liverpool's best chance came on a weakly deflected header from a corner kick that safely ended in the keeper's hands.  The Reds did have the better of offensive breaks, but seemed to lack much with possession.  Liverpool actually almost scored in the 22nd minute when the defender's slide challenge deflected off Sturridge and forced a diving save.  Sturridge continued showing he's not quite back when he failed to get a good settle on the ball that could have led to a good shot in the 43rd.

Ultimately it was a bland first half that produced very few legitimate chances for either side.  Augsburg had their best opportunities when the clock hit 45 and after.  Simon Mignolet stoned a great shot from only about seven yards out and then dove to stop a stinging cross only moments later.

The second half opened up quite the opposite of the first.  Not much going on in the first ten minutes or so, but then things opened up even if only briefly.  In the 54th minute James Milner narrowly missed Sturridge with his cross that surely would have ended in the net.  Then Augsburg sliced a shot just wide only moments later, only to be followed by another Liverpool attempt toward goal.  Despite all this flurry and activity, the score remained 0-0.  The positive, however, was that even with the German side's opportunity, Liverpool had ratcheted up the intensity and looked the more likely to score.

Perhaps showing how much luck played into his last goal, rather than skill, Kolo Toure absolutely butchered a sure goal by missing a header in the 60th minute.  Liverpool almost ended up ahead anyway as the ball bounced around off several defenders, but ended up landing right on the goal line to be caught by the keeper.

Ultimately, perhaps the score was what it should have been.  Liverpool could not do much toward the end of the game, if they did much the entire match.  Ibe rolled one on goal right at the keeper, but with little pace behind it.  On the flip side Augsburg knicked one off the post with four minutes left in regulation.

Fans will no doubt be disappointed, not only in the scoreline, but with the lack of authority really stamped on this game by Liverpool.  However, going back to Anfield next week and not finding yourself down can only be a plus.  That said, it does put a lot of pressure on one game because if you allow a goal it forces you to score two.  But hey, at least Liverpool got a better result on the road than Manchester United.  There's always comfort in that.

Random Thoughts:
- I like Emre Can as a player and think he'll develop into a good talent.  I dislike his mentality though.  Too often he tries to bully players and then act as though he was done wrong if a foul goes against him.  His physical style is fine, but don't look so wounded every time something doesn't go your way.

- I can usually give or take Alexi Lalas as a commentator, but I had to laugh at his assessment of Sturridge's performance.  He eventually elaborated, but initially all Lalas said was "He didn't get hurt..."

- It's interesting to hear that apparently Americans are more like Germans than English when it comes to the common chants the fans use.

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