Liverpool 1 Augsburg 0 (Feb 25 2016)

[tlw content]

As soon as we failed to win - or even score - in Germany, this was always going to be tense and nervy. Do we ever win at home by more than a single goal margin? Of the 20 games we’ve played at Anfield, a dozen of them have ended in a result that would have saw us knocked out, so I’m just relieved we got through as frankly I had major doubts that we would.
 
I expected us to dominate the game but go out after a 1-1 draw, probably after conceding a late goal when nerves became frayed. That’s almost how it unfolded too, but thankfully that terrific last minute free-kick from their left back drifted an inch wide of the post. That’s how close we came to going out, but it’s ridiculous that it came to that. Over 180 minutes against one of the worst teams in the Bundesliga we had only a dubious penalty to show for it. That’s shite.
 
These are the games we used to win three or four nil without even breaking sweat. I don’t just mean in Europe either, we struggle to beat crap English sides at home too. It’s hard to explain why, as often the performances have been quite good. Even when we play well we just can’t seem to put anybody away though. All our big wins have come away from Anfield, which is why I was so critical of the players after last week’s game in Germany. That was our best chance of comfortably winning the tie, because home games are always on a knife edge.
 
Sturridge coming back was supposed to change that, and I’m sure it will soon enough. He’s not quite got into his stride yet, although I thought his performance in this game was good and had he put away the great chance he had just after half time we might have ran out very comfortable winners. As long as he stays fit he’ll be fine and we’ll be at least 30% more effective. 
 
On that note I was happy to see Kloppo drag him off just after an hour to make sure he didn’t come to any harm. Sturridge looked pissed off, which I suppose is a good thing although I couldn’t help wondering if that was just for show after his “you don’t know me, I’m devastated when I can’ play” guff from the day before. Let’s hope the fucker delivers for us at Wembley on Sunday. He’s had £10m for doing absolutely fuck all since he signed that new contract, so it’s about time he gave a little back. 
 
This is just a teaser, click here to view the full report

 

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[dave u]

Oh man, I cried that Manc draw in with that last line didn't I?

[William_Ulsterman]

hehe we will take them apart best chance we could have from any of the teams to be honest and we got them at home first where it will be a shitty draw most likely. Tottenham got the draw i wanted us to avoid so that all good too. 

[Grinch]

Liverpool's next 5 games:

 

28/02 - Man City (N)

02/03 - Man City (H)

06/03 - Crystal Palace (A)

10/03 - Man United (H)

17/03 - Man United (A)

[Red Sun Rising]

so united it is, that'll do me

[Red Hot]

Boy some draw hope the lads don't let us down we are due a win or two against that lot.

[TSC]

Never actually enjoy games against the mancs.  Even the 3-0 at OT when Moyes was there wasn't really enjoyable (for me) until we went 3 clear.  These 2 games are going to be torture.  I like to think the law of averages will kick in given how we've lost the last 4 v them and whatever luck there has been has gone their way.  Doesn't work like that though.

[dylstar]

It might suit us playing away 2 leg as well .As most of our best performances this season have been away from home if we are still in the tie of course.

[Jarvinja Ilnow]

Shit report. Admittedly I've had a few and might not have read it fully, but I don't pay a membership to have no mention of jabronis in your match report. Sort yerself out, Usher.

[dave u]

Shit report. Admittedly I've had a few and might not have read it fully, but I don't pay a membership to have no mention of jabronis in your match report. Sort yerself out, Usher.

 

A rare oversight, corrected in the cup final report.