I noticed that he'd signed an improved deal a few weeks ago. Whether that means he's staying at Porto or it's an insurance they get a big price for him, I don't know. I really don't think we'd have much of a chance anyway: he'd be very expensive for a DM and he's supposedly more interested in Arsenal anyway.

With a new deal I don't think we'd get him until next summer at the earliest. By the time we'd realistically be in for him I'd like to think we won't need him.

Yep, that's madness. But it's a mad country and if they need mad players, well we have one of the maddest of all. Here's hoping a £25m offer for Mario is in the post sometime soon

The scary thing is, all this money is being thrown around by the Chinese clubs at a time when their economy is slowing down and creating a few worries amongst investors. If they get through it and their growth picks up again, their spending levels could increase to truly astronomical amounts.

I'd rather Rooney was fit if I'm honest, 5th is on I reckon.

It wouldn't - I included that for the scenario we plan to sell him if the contract/Ward incentives fail to improve his form, hence the word "or". If he does end up staying as Number 2, the deal still means we'll get a decent fee for him rather than him seeing out his previous contract and leaving on a free because of his demotion. If Klopp sees him as tie future in our goal then he needs better glasses. He's not terrible but his inability to boss his area is not the behaviour of a top 4 keeper which is what we shouldn't be aspiring for.

Since it's not been posted yet...

Kevin Stewart's picked up an injury, could be out for a while. Just when he was starting to look good, could've seen him in a few league games this season. Whenever anyone's starting to look good they get crippled. This is why we can't get the players we want, not the lack of CL or wages.

Also we've been linked with Gundogan again, as have Man City and Arsenal. It's said Dortmund are having trouble negotiating a contract renewal with him, with his current contract expiring in 2017. He's German and he's had some injury problems so he'll fit right in with us. If his contract expires in 2017 and he's wanting out, then we might be able to get a good deal out of him...just have to hope the Klopp factor is strong enough to make him choose us over the other two.

Oh, and has anyone seen Augsburg's Scouse-to-German translation tips? Nice of 'em to help the travelling Liverpudlians.

I don't follow the logic why injuries to the squad is the reason players don't want to join us

Because we're cursed?

It wasn't a serious statement...

Ahh ok

The bad news: I knew I shouldn't have taken the Xhaka links seriously and started getting my hopes up. The new rumours from all over the place are that Pep wants him as his midfield anchor and City are preparing to bid £37m-£39m to land him.

The good news: Danny Ings is looking ahead of schedule and is out and about running on the grass again. If all goes well he could possible make it back into the team before the end of the season. Although that's not vital, it'll be great for him to be fit enough and fully capable enough to do the entire pre-season without having to hold back.

As for tonight's game, I think with us having a free weekend we might put out quite a strong team, with not too many changes, and try put ourselves in as strong a position as possible for the home leg. I suppose the two either/or positions might be either Toure or Caulker at CB and whether to start with Sturridge or Benteke.

I think Klopp believes Mignolet has the right tools and with the right work can become better. I'm not convinced that's the case but do believe Klopp is a fan.



Hopefully get the tie won tonight and then can rest players next week. Hope sturridge starts. The more games he gets the better.

Klopp nutmegs Firminho

https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC...4086656657573/

What a borefest, should be trying to win this by a few, so we can rest some players for the 2nd leg, as got the Capital Cup final 3 days later.

Augsburg on top, couple of good chances there.

Well, not the most entertaining halfs of football...couple scary moments towards the end...

Hopefully we come out firing in the second half. Could do with going into the second leg not needing to go all-out against them.

After the first half, it's looking like Villa were really shite last weekend rather than us being really good. Shouldn't ever take Europe for granted but it would be great to wake up and get a first leg lead to take home just before the League Cup final.

Valencia 5-0 up at half-time.

It's the Pako effect.

Sturridge should have buried that.

Just a pity it doesn't count to their goal deficit from a couple of weeks ago against Barca

Almost an own goal from Augsburg, closest we've been FFS!!!

When we get corners we should just pass the ball to the goalkeeper to save time.

We were lucky there

Ibe is very wasteful.

Terrible result for us that.

Oh well, we didn't lose.

A couple of goals lead before half time will do in the second leg lads.

Yep. The corners taken by the kids vs West Ham were quality. Milner and Henderson cannot take set pieces!!!