Augsburg 0-0 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's side held on return to Germany

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Augsburg in their Europa League round-of-32 first-leg tie in Germany on Thursday.

Liverpool's best chance came in the second half as Daniel Sturridge glanced an effort wide having been found unmarked in the area.

Dong-Won Ji came closest for Augsburg with four minutes remaining, seeing his deflected effort from 15 yards hit the left-hand post and go wide, and it remained goalless ahead of the return leg at Anfield on February 25.

Jurgen Klopp, managing his first game back in Germany since leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer, named an unchanged eleven from the side that beat Aston Villa 6-0 on Sunday, the first time he has named the same team back-to-back since arriving in October.

During a first-half lacking in clear-cut chances, Roberto Firmino's weak effort having gone through on goal was collected by Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz, while at the other end Alexander Esswein forced a good save out of Simon Mignolet having turned well inside the area.

Sturridge, starting back-to-back games for the first time this season, should have scored after the break, but miscued from close range unmarked after Firmino's superb ball from the right.

Alberto Moreno saw his fierce long-range effort turned wide by Hitz shortly after, before Kolo Toure failed to get proper contact on a clear header from six yards from Moreno's curled free-kick.

Despite the chances for Liverpool, supported by 1,200 travelling fans, it was the hosts who nearly grabbed the win.

After Caiuby headed the ball down to Ji Dong-won 15 yards out, the South Korean forward's deflected effort off Jordan Henderson left Mignolet rooted, but clipped the side of the post and went clear.