The Reds assistant coach believes Liverpool face a big challenge in Germany
Liverpool fly to Germany this week to take on Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, in the Europa League round of 32, looking to advance as far as possible in Europe’s second competition.
The German side had one of their best seasons in years last year, finishing 5th in the Bundesliga, ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund side by 3 points. However, the current season has been far from kind, with Augsburg sitting in 14th place, just 1 point ahead of the relegation zone.
But despite the German side not having won a game since 19th December (largely due to the the German winter break), Reds second assistant coach Peter Krawietz believes Liverpool face a ‘big, big challenge’ at the WWK Arena.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Krawietz said: “Augsburg are a special team and it will be a tough game, and we know this because they are a tough opponent.
“We know them very well. We know the coach, their style of play and we know it is a team which is very hard-working, very compact in defence [and] quick in attacking the opponent with a clear idea. We know this plan and now we have to get these answers.
“The message is that they won’t change their style of play. It’s always the same with high intensity of play. I think we will be prepared for this.
“You can take the [previous] results and say ‘it will be easy’ but I can promise it won’t be easy. It’s a big game for them and something like an historical game for them against LFC. This will be a big, big challenge for us.”
The German side suffered defeat to rivals Bayern Munich at the weekend and are, in fact, without a win since returning from the club’s winter break. Something the team will no doubt be keen to rectify against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Although, considering the Reds’ own result at the weekend, coupled with the first opportunity to combine the talents of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino for the first team in European action, Klopp has to be at least a little confident of his sides chances of bringing a positive result back for the second leg at Anfield.
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