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Daniel Sturridge started again for the Reds but they could not find a precious away goal with the last-32 tie delicately balanced ahead of the return leg at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp endured a frustrating return to Germany as Liverpool survived a late scare to draw 0-0 with Augsburg in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie at the WWK Arena on Thursday.

Making his first appearance in a German dugout since joining Liverpool in October, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss witnessed his side toil in front of goal and was fortunate to avoid defeat as Augsburg substitute Ji Dong-won hit the post in the 86th minute with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet well beaten.

Augsburg saw Raul Bobadilla - joint top-scorer in the competition before kick-off - hobble off midway through the first half, although the hosts should have led through Alexander Esswein just before half-time.

Fresh from their 6-0 rout of Aston Villa at the weekend, Liverpool eventually found their groove after the break, but Daniel Sturridge spurned their best chance before the hour.

Despite Ji's late miss, Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl will be content to have denied Liverpool an away goal ahead of their trip to Anfield in seven days' time, while Klopp's men remain unbeaten in the competition this season.

Liverpool were unchanged for the first time in Klopp's tenure following the thrashing of Villa, while Weinzierl welcomed back Tobias Werner from a hip problem sustained in November.

A misplaced pass from Markus Feulner saw former Hoffenheim playmaker Roberto Firmino direct the first effort of the game straight at Marwin Hitz before a last-gasp Ragnar Klavan tackle denied Sturridge a one-on-one.

Augsburg's slow start was not helped when Bobadilla limped off with a hamstring problem 22 minutes in.

However, the hosts gradually grew into the game without the Argentinian and should have led on the stroke of half-time when Esswein fired straight at Mignolet after a quick break down the right.

Liverpool started the second half brightly, Philippe Coutinho making his first contribution of the game when he clipped Alberto Moreno's cutback wide.

Sturridge wasted a golden opportunity to put Liverpool in front before the hour when he sidefooted wide from close range prior to the hour mark following clever play down the right from Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner.

As the game livened up, Liverpool piled on pressure and saw Sturridge test Hitz from distance, while Konstantinos Stafylidis cut out a dangerous Clyne delivery.

Augsburg captain Paul Verhaegh almost turned into his own net after an inswinging Jordan Henderson delivery before the hosts failed to make the most of a loose Clyne pass, Halil Altintop eventually being crowded out as he was unable to set Werner free down the left.

Moreno and Caiuby had good chances in the final stages before Ji was nearly the hero when he struck the post late on after unleashing a first-time shot around 12 yards out, the former Sunderland man almost making a low-key display worse for Klopp's men ahead of the second leg next week.

•  

   

  Nil-nil just about sums it up here in Germany, with this game never really kicking into top gear. Augsburg avoid conceding an away goal, while Liverpool will look forward to the second leg at home with the sense that they have the advantage. All to play for at Anfield. That's all the time we have, thanks for tuning in to our live commentary. 
• 90'+2'

   

  Yellow Card Markus Feulner
  Feulner fouls Coutinho in the centre and is carded, and that should squeeze the clock dry. 
• 90'+1'

   

  Can tries to launch  a forward pass towards Origi, but it's too far ahead of the substitute, and that may be the end of the last possibility of an opening for Liverpool. Seconds remaining now. 
• 89'

   

  Coutinho, as he tends to do, takes aim from long range, but a deflection helps his effort wide of the target. From the resulting corner, the Augsburg defence are able to boot it clear easily. 
• 87'

   

  SubstitutionHalil Altıntop Ja-Cheol Koo
  Altintop is pulled for Koo in Augsburg's final change. 
• 87'

   

  OFF THE POST! Ji nearly makes a sensational impact. Caiuby wins another header, knocking the ball down into the path of the substitute, who lashes a half-volley that cracks against the woodwork! 
• 85'

   

  Ibe gets his first taste of the ball off the bench, and has a go from the right side of the box, but Hitz is all over it. Five minutes to go now if someone wants to take the initiative and win this game. 
• 83'

   

  We appear to be limping towards the end of the match here, with both teams struggling to advance the ball out of midfield. A draw seems a fair result given what we've witnessed, though. 
• 81'

   

  SubstitutionJames Milner Jordon Ibe
  Milner has also been withdrawn for Ibe. 
• 81'

   

  SubstitutionTobias Werner Dong-Won Ji
  Werner departs, and it's probably a smart change for the home side, given that he was still a little hot headed after getting booked for his rough challenge on Coutinho moments ago. Ji is on in his place. 
• 79'

   

  A little spice to this one as we enter the final 10 minutes. Neither side is looking to settle for the draw at this point, but there's just not enough execution in the final third to cause problems. 
• 77'

   

  Yellow Card Alberto Moreno Pérez
  Moreno commits a needless sliding tackle on Feulner, earning himself a yellow card. 
• 77'

   

  STAFYLIDIS WITH A GREAT CHANCE! The ball sits up for him nicely inside the 18-yard area and as the Liverpool defence freezes, he curls a close-range effort the wrong side of the post! 
• 75'

   

  Hitz goes walkabout well outside his area, and nearly gets caught out, but Janker manages to clear just before Origi or Coutinho can pounce and try their luck on an unguarded net from 40 yards out. 
• 73'

   

  Yellow Card Tobias Werner
  Werner, still smarting about that no-call on his confrontation with Henderson, takes his revenge out on Coutinho, flattening the Brazilian with a sliding challenge and getting booked in the process.
• 72'

   

  Werner is brought down by Henderson near the touchline and the home fans want a free-kick, but none arrives. Liverpool turn that into a counter-attack, but Origi can't make the most of Clyne's cross. 
• 70'

   

  SAVE BY HITZ! Moreno finds a flicked header from Henderson bouncing into his path and he takes it in stride, lashing a long-range effort on goal which swerves and causes the Augsburg keeper to parry instead of holding onto it. 
• 68'

   

  NEARLY A MISHAP AT THE BACK! A cross from Werner appears to be routine for the defence, but Moreno's header back to Mignolet is a little too far away from the keeper, who has to dive onto it to be sure! 
• 68'

   

  SubstitutionDaniel Sturridge Divock Okoth Origi
  Origi has been introduced in place of Sturridge in Liverpool's first change. 
• 66'

   

  Moreno attempts a Zidane-esque volley from the top of the box but it's charged down. Liverpool continue to knock at the door, but aren't really finding the openings they need. 
• 64'

   

  No changes in this game as yet apart from the enforced withdrawal of Bobadilla in the first half. Esswein has half a chance on the break, but his diagonal ball for Werner leaves the wide man with too much to do. 
• 62'

   

  Over an hour gone now and signs that we might be edging towards a few more genuine chances. Liverpool are starting to take the initiative a little, and would love an away goal to build on for the second leg. 
• 60'

   

  BIG CHANCE FOR LIVERPOOL! The free-kick is hoisted into the mixer, where Toure wins the initial header. It deflects off Caiuby, and there's panic for a moment, but Hitz smothers it right on the line! 
• 59'

   

  Yellow Card Dominik Kohr
  There's a booking here for Kohr, who upends Firmino within sight of the referee.
• 58'

   

  More good work from Liverpool sees Sturridge free Clyne on the overlap down the right, but the full-back's cross towards the near post is cleared away before anyone in red can get a touch. 
• 56'

   

  FEULNER! The midfielder spies a gap to race into on the break, and he takes aim from about 25 yards, but can't direct his effort towards Mignolet. Could have taken that a little closer to goal. 
• 54'

   

  STURRIDGE MISSES A SITTER! Milner and Firmino play a lovely one-two, and the Englishman gets a low cross into the six-yard area, but the striker turns his finish the wrong side of the far post! 
• 52'

   

  Firmino lets a pass towards him run out onto the left flank, where Moreno is on the overlap and catches up to it in time. He stabs a cross towards Coutinho inside the area, but his finish is a few yards off. 
• 50'

   

  Better from Liverpool in the second half as they continue to probe, but there's still few signs of a genuine opening for them. The first goal, if there is to be one, will be so vital in this tie. 
• 48'

   

  OFFSIDE...and disappointing decision from the officials. Henderson collected the ball on the left and cut in towards goal, but the assistant referee wrongly judged him to be ahead of the last defender when he picked up the ball. 
• 46'

   

  Off we go again!
•  

   

  And that will do it for the first half, with the score still 0-0. Both sides have fashioned half-chances in this match but overall, it's been cagey and unambitious. Augsburg will take some heart in that little flurry of activity right at the end of the period, and will want that momentum to carry over after the restart. Stay tuned for the second half soon. 
• 45'

   

  BEST CHANCE OF THE FIRST HALF! Esswein races beyond the defence and turns his marker inside the area. However, his left-footed finish is beaten away by Mignolet from point-blank range! Moments later, the keeper just gets in front of an attacker to claim a dangerous cross! 
• 43'

   

  Augsburg are ending the first half on top, forcing Liverpool to retreat most of their players into the defensive third. Still, Mignolet has not had much to do inside goal for the visitors. 
• 41'

   

  CHANCE FOR KOHR! Can turns the ball over after trying a needless back-heel in his own half, and that frees the midfielder for a strike from the edge of the area. He hammers it on goal, but can't keep it on target. Should have done better. 
• 39'

   

  Augsburg are back on the attack, as Caiuby has a cross cleared away from danger, before Stafylidis takes aim from a loose ball, with his volley deflecting off a wall of defenders.
• 37'

   

  Liverpool win a corner, and there's a chance for Henderson as it's cleared into his path near the top of the box, but he can't direct his effort away from Hitz, who makes another comfortable save. 
• 35'

   

  Moment of panic for the home side as Sturridge's strike from quite a long way out takes a deflection that has Hitz struggling to catch up, but it ultimately bounces wide of the target. 
• 33'

   

  Augsburg have settled nicely into this game now and are trying to up the tempo, with Caiuby combining with Esswein down the right, that leads to a cross from the latter which is hacked away. 
• 31'

   

  Caiuby has really put himself about here, and is challenging the Liverpool defence for every header. He's added a different dimension to the hosts when compared with the half-fit Bobadilla.
• 29'

   

  Caiuby launches a beautiful cross-field pass to Werner out on the left flank, who hooks a cross back towards the substitute at the far post. However, his next contribution is not so accomplished, as he strikes the ball with his hands as he tried to head it on target.  
• 27'

   

  Janker has been a bundle of nerves here, and he nearly turns the ball over again with two Liverpool players in hot pursuit. However, it rolls kindly for Hitz to clear the danger.
• 25'

   

  First glimpse on goal for the home side in a while as Altintop has an attempt on the volley, but Mingolet was all over it. Will that change make a difference in the visitors' approach here?
• 23'

   

  SubstitutionRaúl Marcelo Bobadilla Caiuby Francisco da Silva
  Bobadilla tweaked his hamstring and tried to soldier on, but it appears that his night is at an end. Caiuby has been introduced in his place, and the striker has words with the coaching staff on his way into the dugout. 
• 22'

   

  It's a decent delivery from Can, who manages to work the ball to Sturridge, but the striker's effort is saved by Hitz. Nothing more than half-chances for Liverpool at this stage. 
• 20'

   

  Yellow Card Christoph Janker
  Janker takes a piece out of Sakho with a challenge, and that leads to a free-kick for the visitors, and a yellow card for the Augsburg man. Can stands over this one.
• 19'

   

  Feulner makes a late and clumsy challenge on Can, leading to a free-kick for Liverpool. However, they play it short, and fail to make a further advance into the opposition area. 
• 17'

   

  Liverpool are knocking the ball around with ease, but failing to apply any penetration at the end of it. Augsburg are holding off committing challenges, and instead trying to limit the space for runners. 
• 15'

   

  The game hasn't really kicked off yet as Liverpool try to play their way through the opposition. That's not working too well, neither is Augsburg's strategy of hitting them on the break. 
• 13'

   

  Liverpool win a corner, and Augsburg fail to clear the initial delivery. It's flicked towards Sturridge at the back post, but he's got a man draped all over him, meaning that his header on goal lacks power and is grabbed by Hitz. 
• 11'

   

  Both sides are trading spells in possession, but it's Liverpool who look the more threatening on the ball. Augsburg haven't been able to get Bobadilla involved much beyond that first chance. 
• 9'

   

  Liverpool are playing with a little more poise after that Firmino chance, and nearly fashion another opportunity as a cross from the left by Can is just about cleared away from danger. 
• 7'

   

  COULD HAVE BEEN THE OPENER! It's Augsburg's turn to be careless in the centre, as Janker turns the ball over to Firmino, who struggles to keep his balance as he races towards goal. He still manages to get a shot away, but it's swallowed by Hitz down low. 
• 5'

   

  Liverpool have to settle down a little here as they've been prone to some careless mistakes on the ball. Augsburg are in control through the opening five minutes of this knockout-stage encounter. 
• 3'

   

  Intense noise inside this ground, and Liverpool panic to offer the first glimpse on goal for the visitors. They turn the ball over, and it finds its way to Bobadilla at the top of the box, but he lashes his half-volley into the turf and well off target. 
• 1'

   

  We're off!
•  

   

  Klopp names an unchanged side after the Aston Villa win, with possibly his strongest available side fielded in Germany. Daniel Sturridge heads the attack and is flanked by Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, while Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure partner each other in defence, with Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel still sidelined. 
•  

   

  Raul Bobadilla, who scored the joint-most goals in the group stages with six, leads the line for the home side. Halil Altintop replaces the Brazilian Caiuby in the middle, while Tobias Werner is recalled to the starting XI.
•  

   

  Liverpool subs: Ward, Benteke, Caulker, Lucas, Origi, Ibe, Randall. 
•  

   

  Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Can; Firmino, Sturridge, Coutinho. 
•  

   

  Augsburg subs: Opare, Koo, Ji, Gelios, Caiuby, Max, Thommy. 
•  

   

  Augsburg (4-2-3-1): Hitz; Verhaegh, Janker, Klavan, Stafylidis; Kohr, Feulner; Esswein, Altintop, Werner; Bobadilla. 
•  

   

  This represents Jurgen Klopp's first match against German opposition as Liverpool boss, since his departure for Borussia Dortmund and the Bundesliga. Liverpool broke an untimely winless run with a resounding 6-0 win at Aston Villa over the weekend that has them in eighth place, only three points behind Manchester United in fifth. 
•  

   

  Augsburg finished fifth in last season's Bundesliga, which has allowed them to compete in the Europa League for the first time in their history. The team's own Twitter account described this as the biggest match in the club's history -  can they rise to the occasion? 
•  

   

  Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League round of 32 match between Augsburg and Liverpool. Tonight's hosts have advanced to the knockout stages in their first-ever European campaign, and welcome a side that have been eliminated at this stage in each of the last two seasons. Stick with us for all the action.