Riedle: Augsburg will try and do everything to win
Karl-Heinz Riedle has highlighted the threat FC Augsburg will pose Liverpool when the teams go head-to-head in the Europa League encounter in Germany tonight.
The former Anfield striker believes the Reds are firm favourites heading into the round-of-32 first-leg clash, but says they must be wary of the challenge awaiting them at the WWK Arena.
Riedle started his professional footballing career at the Bundesliga side in 1983 where he scored 31 goals in 80 appearances and later ended up at Anfield in 1997.
“If you compare both sides then Liverpool definitely have the better players and they definitely have a better attacking line than Augsburg,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“[But] they have to be careful about counter-attacks from Augsburg because they are quite strong with this.
“They don't have extraordinary players but it's a really good team with a really good team spirit. They have a really good coach and tactically they are very good.
“Their defence is the biggest strength of this team I think, [they have a] brilliant goalkeeper and one player upfront, [Raul] Bobadilla, who is quite dangerous in the box.
“It's a very important game against Liverpool for them and they will do everything to beat them.”
Jürgen Klopp travels to Germany with Liverpool for the first time since taking over the job back in October.
And his compatriot, Riedle, is confident the Reds boss will know plenty about his counterparts from his time managing Borussia Dortmund.
The 50-year-old added: “Klopp knows exactly the team of FC Augsburg and he knows how to play against them.
“For sure it's a little bit of an advantage for them [Liverpool] because they have a coach who knows the other team.
“Klopp had a really big impact in Germany with Dortmund so he is very well known. I'm sure they are very much looking forward to see him again and they will give him a warm welcome, but Augsburg will want to win.”