Jurgen Klopp has warned his players that Augsburg consider Liverpool’s visit ‘the biggest game in their history’ as he prepares for a fiery German homecoming.
Klopp faces Bundesliga opponents for the first time since his move to the Premier League, and his record against Thursday’s opponents bodes well for his new club.
While working in Germany, Klopp won five of his 10 previous meetings with Augsburg, losing twice, and he admits his local knowledge is helpful to Liverpool’s cause.
“They have said it is the biggest game in their history,” said Klopp.
“If it is, you can imagine how ready they are for this game. I know a lot about Augsburg, I've played a lot of times against them, and that makes the preparation easier but that is all. Of course the players don’t so it is up to us to show them
Liverpool are favourites to triumph in Germany
“In the end, they will fight for everything.
“Their manager said it would be better for them if Liverpool had another (non-German) manager because they would never have been to Augsburg. What would you know if you had not been there in the Bundesliga?”
Although Klopp’s return to Germany has caught the attention in his home country, he says it is Liverpool’s name that generates most interest rather than the personality of the coach.
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“If I wasn’t here and Augsburg played against Liverpool it is still the biggest game in their history,” he said.
“They played against Bayern in their last game and a few years ago they were the European champions, but of course, they played against them a few times last season so it’s not that big anymore. Now we come for the first time.
“I don’t think there is extra motivation because I am there. It is more special for other people because there are not too many German managers working in foreign countries. Most of my colleagues are working in Germany so if a German manager works somewhere else and comes back, yes it is possible to be a more interesting story but - for us and for me especially - it is a Europa League game.
Klopp has a good record against Augsburg
“From the first moment I've said this is a very important tournament for me. Bundesliga clubs are never easy to play and especially a club like Augsburg who are a special story in Germany. It is a similar story to my former club, Mainz, with a little bit more history. One of the most famous German footballers played there – Bernd Schuster – but it took them a long time to come back to the Bundesliga and now they are there with a really good manager, Markus Weinzierl, who is one of the highest-rated managers in Germany at this moment. A lot of clubs are thinking about him. They are having a few problems this season – 21 points, only one point above the relegation line – but they came through their group with a spectacular last game.
“They have a good mixture of experience and young players. They have players with big potential and have one of the most physical strikers in Europe – Raul Bobadilla – who you need a navigation system to drive around. He is a real worker and difficult to defend. Their wingers are quick and usually one of the best players in the Bundesliga is their playmaker Daniel Baier, who plays the six or eight, but he is injured for our game which is a big problem for them. They have experienced centre-halves, too and good full-backs. A good team.”
A visit by Liverpool is a big deal for supporters of Augsburg
For Klopp, repeating the European success he enjoyed at Dortmund is one of major priorities at Anfield although he insists the pain of losing the Champions League final to Bayern Munich three years ago does not serve as motivation.
“No. To win football games, especially finals, you need a little bit of luck,” said Klopp.
“Everyone knows this. It is how Liverpool won their Champions League final. It was not due to the brilliance, it was the fight – which was great.
“We had nil luck in the game (v Bayern). I know this. The best thing we could do was get to this final. I do not think you should personalise a victory, in that case for the club to reach the final, or minimise it because you lost 2-1 in a great game in the biggest final you can get to. We were the better team for half-an-hour so I took a lot from that game and the result was only one piece of the information. That’s all. I don’t need it if I come here and you say ‘he’s a Champions League winner’. It makes no difference to me. I am fine. I tried everything and we tried everything to win that game but we didn’t. Life goes on. That’s what I say as a survivor of that game.”
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