Augsburg 0-0 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp searching for greater consistency after tame Europa League stalemate

Jurgen Klopp admits that he was not "100% happy" with Liverpool's performance after they drew a blank in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie against Augsburg on 18 February. The Reds were clinical in dismantling lowly Aston Villa 6-0 in their last domestic outing, but failed to create many clear goal-scoring opportunities during an uneventful stalemate at the WWK Arena in Bavaria.

The home side, contesting their first knockout match in European competition, produced arguably the two best chances of the night when Alexander Esswein drew a strong save from Simon Mignolet on the stoke of half-time and substitute Ji Dong-Won struck the outside of the post. Liverpool could have edged ahead in the tie after James Milner provided a dangerous low cross that Daniel Sturridge failed to turn past home goalkeeper Marwin Hitz.

Speaking to BT Sport after the full-time whistle, a reflective Klopp urged his side to be more consistent. He said: "We should be realistic, the result is good. In a Europa League first leg away game that's absolutely OK. We had a few good moments, we could have scored goals. As a complete game, I'm not satisfied to be honest.

"You see we fight for consistency. It's a really hard fight. It's a long way... Even in the game, it's 'wow, wow, wow and then OK, what happened now?' and that's what we have to stop. We always let them come a little bit back in the game and it's not necessary. We have the rematch next week at Anfield and that's good for us. I'm not 100% happy with this game."

Although Liverpool failed to notch an away goal, they should still feel confident of securing their place in the final 16 in the second leg that takes place at Anfield in seven days time. The Premier League outfit exited the competition under Brendan Rodgers at this stage last term, drawing 1-1 on aggregate with Besiktas before falling to a penalty shootout defeat in Istanbul.

They will be helped this time around with their FA Cup fourth-round replay exit at the hands of West Ham ensuring that they have no weekend game to contend with before the return fixture on Merseyside.