Liverpool came into their second leg match with Augsburg FC with everything left to do. While a first leg draw on the road was a satisfactory result that didn't put them behind the eight ball, it still gave them no room for error at home.
Not even a minute in and it was almost disaster. Augsburg had a chance toward goal that ultimately went over the frame. How crushing would it have been to concede in the first sixty seconds at Anfield? After the hiccup to start the game, the Reds settled in.
An odd series of events led to Liverpool's first goal, from a penalty kick by James Milner. It originated off a corner kick. First, Sakho was very lucky not to be called for a push in the box. Then, two Augsburg players clashed together (one of whom was the one pushed by Sakho), getting their arms entangled. In the confusion, the ball went off the defender's hand. Even though the official seemed to be in a spot that would make a call difficult, he whistled the hand ball instead of a push and a penalty was awarded. Milner barely snuck it under the keeper, who rightly guessed the direction but could not get down to ground quick enough.
It wasn't shaping up to be a red letter day for the officials. Liverpool almost got their second in the 20th minute when a cross just missed Daniel Sturridge and Milner, but Sturridge was offside when the kick was taken. Nevertheless it was good to see Liverpool's offense looking so strong after that initial defensive miscue. Only a couple minutes after the missed cross, Sturridge danced around the box on the near side and fed Coutinho who was stopped at point blank range before Marwin Hitz smothered the rebound.
25th minute, shot from outside the box was calmly saved by Simon Mignolet. He won't get much credit, but those are tough because it was bouncing and lots of bodies in front. 36th minute, Lucas tried to play a desperate ball back to Mignolet and didn't get it there. Fortunately, the angle was to much for Caiuby and Augsburg could not capitalize.
The first half ended with just the one goal separating the squads. In typical Liverpool fashion, they outplayed their opponent but failed to finish them off. The Reds had the better of shots and possession but only the penalty kick goal to show for it. With 45 minutes to play and Augsburg needing only a draw, with the away goal factor, it was all still to play for.
The second half was mainly uneventful with a few spurts of action here and there. On the Liverpool side, there was too much defending, though they still had a chance or two. On the negative side, Coutinho almost got injured in the 60th minute on an innaucuous challenge. While the foul deserved the yellow card it got, it really barely touched Coutinho on the back of the leg, but he then jammed his leg into the ground. Fortunately, he stayed on the field long enough to not provide too much worry going forward.
Sturridge got taken out for Divock Origi in the 66th. It was another match where he provided moments but still looks to be making his way back slowly and insecurely from injury. The only other thing one began to wonder given the substitutes (Coutinho was taken off with 10 minutes remaining) is if Klopp was resting a lot of hope on a 1-0 lead in an effort to preserve these players for the Cup final on Sunday.
The gamble almost did not pay off. More defensive miscues almost lead to a goal in the 70th. Mignolet came all the way to the edge of the 18 to make a sliding save and then a good clearance avoided an empty net goal. Then with a chance to put the nail in the coffin, Jordan Henderson couldn't put one past Hitz in the 77th with nobody to beat but the keeper.
Liverpool was hanging by the skin of their teeth as time ticked away. They most likely should have conceded in the 87th minute. The German side were pressing but the pass from the endline was too far behind the striker in front and Lucas managed to toe poke the ball away from danger afterward. Then, a free kick in the 89th minute almost scored as well. With the kick coming just 25 yards away and from the middle of the pitch it ended up just skimming the outside of the post. It likely would have beaten Mignolet, though it would have been close.
In the end, it was the result needed. Liverpool deserved to win given their overall play through the two legs, with this match specifically on their side. However, there was a lot of sloppy play in the midfield and defensive sides. Mignolet provided solid, decisive goalkeeping (something that has been lacking in his play) but the Reds failed to score enough goals to give them any comfort again. They will be moving on, which is all that really matters, but for a side that was thought to be one of the stronger ones Liverpool could place on the pitch there was a lot left to be desired.
Random Thoughts:
- Those of you from St. Louis will know where I'm coming from. Seeing Coutinho grab his hamstring was a bit of a jarring moment. I've seen too many injuries this year, mostly on the St. Louis Blues side, but seemingly with all teams I support.
- I know the front three are a fluid group, but there seemed to be an effort to get Firmino in a more central role. I'm not sure that's beneficial for Sturridge. If he's comfortable on the outside, then I'm not one to disagree, but he seems more suited to be in that striker role with Coutinho and Firmino as more wing players.
- I'm sure there are some people out there that will find fault in something Mignolet did. However, I wish he could be as decisive and active in all matches as he was in this one. I still maintain he is one of the better shot-stoppers around. If he could just not look so weak on set pieces, he would be fine to keep. But it might be too late for him to magically alter his mindset at this stage.
Walk On
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