“So, yes, at this moment I would say we have a better chance this way”, the German said.
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After a hectic period in January, Klopp has the luxury of being able to just focus on the Europa League for the next week as his side are not involved in the FA Cup at the weekend and injury problems are starting to ease. We don’t have to say, ‘We have no chance, ‘ but if you look at the teams in the competition now it is like a little Champions League.
The United captain Rooney was not in manager Louis van Gaal’s 18-man squad which travelled to Denmark on Wednesday for the last-32 tie. “If I wasn’t here and Augsburg play against Liverpool it is still the biggest game in their history”.
“I don’t think there is extra motivation because I am there but it is a special situation because it’s Europa League and it’s a small club that can earn a lot of money”.
Despite a muted run of form in the Bundesliga this season, finding them in 14 place after 21 games, they will be highly motivated on Thursday night. “They will fight for their lives, for sure, because for them it is an absolute highlight”.
That strategy was largely enforced after injuries ravaged his squad, but with a bigger complement of players now available to him, Thompson says he would like to see a strong line-up in Germany.
“Sometimes you look for the shortest way to achieve your goals”.
“You can imagine how they will be and we have to be ready too, to go to the next round – but not with an easy game”.
Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl admits it has been a long time leading up to the occasion, which has sold out the 30,000-capacity WWK Arena. We then have a final (Capital One Cup on the Sunday).
Jurgen Klopp likes to take a hands on approach in training, get involved with the players, push them to their limits. We have been following Liverpool closely but we will prepare for them in the same way as we do any other match.
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Augsburg will be without influential defensive midfielder Daniel Baier for this clash, while centre-back Jeong-Ho Hong, Czech midfielder Jan Moravek and the experienced Piotr Trochowski are also unavailable.
