ANFIELD, Liverpool — Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side scraped past FC Augsburg in the Europa League round of 32, progressing 1-0 on aggregate courtesy of James Milner's early penalty in the second leg on Thursday night.
The Reds progressed to the last 16 of European competition for the first time since 2011—where they will face English rivals Manchester United.
Friday's draw for the last 16 saw Klopp's side avoid a long trip in Europe in favor of a 30-mile trip to their north-west rivals.
Having already lost twice to Louis van Gaal's side this season, Liverpool will have revenge on their minds.
Speaking at his post-match press conference shortly after the draw, Klopp said that he had told his staff he wanted to draw United, saying, "It gives us a chance to make it right [after defeat at Anfield]."
Defeat to Augsburg on Thursday night—or indeed a score draw—would have seen Liverpool eliminated from Europe and their season pretty much over by Monday, after Sunday's League Cup final. Instead, the draw with Man United provides a huge doubleheader and an opportunity to begin an exciting end to the season.
Augsburg
As ever, there are two ways of looking at this game and tie overall. On the one hand, Liverpool progressed only due to a somewhat dubious penalty against a team placed 13th in their own league.
On the other hand, Liverpool created enough chances to have put the match well beyond their opponents by half-time at Anfield, and on another day they may have been at least three goals to the good.
There were certainly plenty of opportunities created, with Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz making several fantastic saves to deny Liverpool's attacking triumvirate of Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
The trio had never played together prior to the 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, but Klopp has now been able to field all three together in three successive games—Sunday's League Cup final at Wembley Stadium will be the fourth.
For Sturridge, it was the first time in 11 months he'd started three Liverpool games in a row. He played just over 65 minutes, with Divock Origi looking lively after replacing the Englishman.
While it wasn't an emphatic result, Liverpool progressed, kept a third successive clean sheet and saw their key players come through the game unscathed—something Klopp was clearly happy about post-match.
"After the game with a 1-0, I am completely fine, as I know there are no injuries," he said, explaining why both Coutinho and Sturridge were subbed. "They are very important for us, but we need them in best shape, and you can only get this from training and matches."
Milner's well-dispatched penalty proved the only goal of the game, but there were plenty of positives on display in the opening 70 minutes when Liverpool fashioned many clear-cut chances, with nice link-up play evident between the attacking trio and left-back Alberto Moreno regularly involved.
Such signs will be great for Klopp ahead of Sunday's League Cup final—and indeed the latter stages of the European competition.
Man United
The big games will now arrive thick and fast for Liverpool. Sunday's final is followed by the visit of Man City to Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday, while eight days later they'll host Manchester United in the first leg of the last 16 of the Europa League. The Reds then travel to Old Trafford in the return leg a week later.
Liverpool have been very poor in both their performances against Van Gaal's side this season. Indeed, the display at Old Trafford was one of the worst under former manager Brendan Rodgers and provided the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back for many supporters.
What most disappointed Liverpool supporters is that their side have failed to perform against their biggest rivals in the last three matches—despite United being hugely out of form and, in the eyes of many, there for the taking.
The scrappy encounter at Anfield last month saw Wayne Rooney hit the only goal, with Liverpool creating chances but not taking them—a familiar story in the last 18 months.
They also found David De Gea in typically good form to deny them. The Spaniard is the difference-maker in such games. Liverpool will need to improve their accuracy and take their chances if they are to beat the United No. 1 and progress to the quarter-finals.
Being drawn with the second leg away from home is not such a huge disadvantage for Liverpool, who have often looked nervy and anxious when playing at Anfield of late.
Much has been made of the lack of winning know-how in the Reds squad—repeatedly losing on the big occasion—but these two games against United and Sunday's League Cup final give them the opportunity to right the wrongs of defeats such as the FA Cup semi-final last season.
Writing in his exclusive column for the Telegraph, Steven Gerrard said Klopp can make the difference in such games.
Gerrard speaks of former managers and coaching staff such as Phil Thompson, Gerard Houllier, Kenny Dalglish and Rafa Benitez who had won trophies prior to arriving at Liverpool and used that experience to achieve success with the Reds.
Klopp brings winning know-how that Liverpool had missed in recent years. "His obsession, just as it was for Houllier, Benitez and Dalglish, will be about how to bring that trophy to Anfield," wrote Gerrard.
Progress
Should Liverpool overcome United in two legs, they'll be eyeing another final this season—the Europa League final in Basel, Switzerland, in May.
The Europa League may be Europe's second competition, but this season it provides a place in next year's Champions League for the winner for the first time. It means Liverpool can afford to put all their focus on these games and use the Premier League to give young squad players an opportunity.
Winning a first piece of silverware since 2012 would be progress for the club, and achieving qualification for next year's Champions League would certainly end the season in style.
