Breaking Down Liverpool's Europa League Opponents FC Augsburg

While the talk before Monday's Europa League knockout-stage draw was of a potential return to Borussia Dortmund for Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool boss was handed another German side in the round of 32.

FC Ausburg will be the Reds' opponents when European action returns in February, meaning a reunion with Klopp's former club may have to wait until later in the competition.

On paper, it looks like an ideal draw for Liverpool and Klopp—facing a team the manager knows well from his time in the Bundesliga and avoiding any of the Champions League-exiting sides who weren't seeded.

It will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive match, and the trip to Germany will provide travelling Reds with a good European away day.

So, what do we know about Ausburg?

Well, they don't appear to be formidable opposition, sitting 13th in the Bundesliga having won just four of their 16 league games so far this season. Their form, though, is improving—winning their last three games in all competitions.

They're managed by German Markus Weinzierl, who has guided the Bavarian side to 15th, eighth and fifth in the last three Bundesliga seasons, qualifying for this season's Europa League last season via that fifth-place finish.

Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

Last season, they enjoyed some impressive results, not least a 1-0 win at Bayern Munich that ended the champions' 53-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. It was Ausburg's first-ever victory over their Bavarian rivals.

According to German football journalist Archie Rhind-Tutt, Ausburg are a team who enjoy playing against the big sides and were the surprise package in the Bundesliga last season. Rhind-Tutt told the Liverpool Echo: 

"

In the last three years they have beaten Bayern Munich twice, admittedly when Bayern had already won the title, but that’s still no small achievement.

Back in February they enjoyed a 1-0 win at Dortmund which sent Borussia to the bottom of the Bundesliga in Jurgen Klopp’s final year there, so he will know all about them.

Their manager Markus Weinzierl is regarded as one of Germany’s best up and coming coaches, he’s in his early 40s and has done a magnificent job.

"

Weinzierl himself commented after the draw:

"

The anticipation of facing Liverpool is huge. Everyone was happy. Liverpool are a cult and Jurgen is a huge name in Germany so I'm happy for the whole club.

We will do everything in that we can. This game is something special. We will be underdogs against Liverpool but this is a role we like to assume.

We have courage and confidence. Jurgen Klopp knows us and will not underestimate us.

"

Liverpool and Klopp must not take their opponents lightly when the games take place in late February. The first leg being played at the 30,660-seater WWK Arena on February 18 and second leg at Anfield a week later—just a few days before the Merseyside derby, or indeed the League Cup final should Liverpool beat Stoke City in the semi-final.

It could be a series of big games for Klopp's side in February. 

Klopp, though, knows all about Weinzierl's side, having played against them eight times as Dortmund boss, losing just once, as per Opta:

"

1 - Jürgen #Klopp only lost 1 of 8 BL-duels against @FCAugsburgEN. Return with @LFC. pic.twitter.com/xCZ1sWoL4G

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 14, 2015"

Jack Lusby detailed the encounters for This Is Anfield, explaining:

"

In eight Bundesliga games against the Fuggerstadter, Klopp lost just once, winning five and scoring 20 goals, conceding an average of one per game.

His biggest victory over Augsburg came at the first time of asking, with a goal from Mario Gotze and a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick sealing a 4-0 win at the Westfalenstadion.

The last time he lined his side up against Weinzierl’s outfit, however, Dortmund lost 1-0, with Bobadilla the goalscorer once again in a smash-and-grab victory for Augsburg.

"

Klopp will be looking to avenge that defeat and guide Liverpool into the last 16 of the competition.

Players

According to WhoScored.com, Ausburg typically utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation and create plenty of goalscoring chances. Their weaknesses include failing to defend set pieces, which is something they have in common with Liverpool.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Their key player is Raul Bobadilla, who scored against the Reds for BSC Young Boys in the Europa League back in 2012. He was Ausburg's top scorer last season with 10 goals but has managed just two so far this season.

Indeed, they don't have a prolific goalscorer this season, with their top marksman on just five goals for the season so far—the same as Liverpool's top duo of Christian Benteke and Philippe Coutinho.

Their top scorer is 32-year-old right-back Paul Verhaegh, explains Rhind-Tutt: "He’s an excellent penalty taker and was a member of the Dutch squad for the World Cup in Brazil. He’s one of the cornerstones of the side."

Overall

Overall, Ausburg represent a difficult opponent but not one that Liverpool should fail to overcome across two legs.

Having some other big fixtures around this time will mean Klopp will need to juggle his squad well to get the best from his players—who won just once in their six games following Europa League group games this season.

Having key players fully fit and available will be key to not only this game but also Liverpool's form in the second half of the campaign.