I told you that the Bavarian welcome takes some beating. 

Jurgen Klopp is on the pitch, dressed in black and watching his team go through their paces. A reminder of the teams: 

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Milner, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge.

Augsburg XI: Hitz, Verhaegh, Stafylidis, Klavan, Janker, Feulner, Werner, Kohr, Altıntop, Esswein, Bobadilla

Image source, Getty Images

Now that is a banner! Imagine getting that on the train...

Into the last 10 minutes and it's not looking good for Manchester United, who have just gone 2-1 down to FC Midtjylland, which I'm sure will disappoint Liverpool fans.

Tottenham are drawing 1-1 with Fiorentina. You can follow that game here. 

Image source, reut

We should also remind you that Liverpool got this far by topping Group B and were unbeaten in their six group matches. 

Augsburg, who finished an unlikely fifth in the Bundesliga last season to reach the Europa League, sealed a spot in the last 32 after an 89th-minute goal from Raul Bobadilla in their final group game win against Partizan Belgrade. They pipped the Serbian side to the runners-up spot in Group L on goal difference. 

A reminder that winning the Europa League this season earns a spot in next season's Champions League. 

So is this a competition Liverpool should take seriously? Let us know via #bbcfootball, external on text via 81111 or via the Match of the Day facebook page., external

Image source, LFC

Jurgen certainly seems in a good mood if this nutmeg on Roberto Firmino at last night's training session is anything to go by. You can watch it here.

So what else do we know about Augsburg? Coached by boss Markus Weinzieri, they are they are known as Die Fuggerstadter (The Fugger-Towners), in honour of the Fugger family, who were one of the town's most significant financiers

Currently, they are flirting with relegation from the Bundesliga this season. Placed 14th, they haven't won in four league games. 

Jurgen Klopp calls it the "biggest game in Augsburg's history". Wonder what that will do for the home side's motivation?

Image source, Reuters

So with Liverpool out of the FA Cup this weekend, the next two weeks signify an important period for the team and, for once, they have time to recover between matches. The Reds face Augsburg tonight and next Thursday before their Capital One Cup final the following Sunday against Manchester City. 

After their 6-0 win over Aston Villa last Sunday it appears a good time to build momentum.  

Jurgen Klopp names the same Liverpool team that beat Aston Villa 6-0 last Sunday. Daniel Sturridge continues up top. 

Augsburg boss Markus Weinzieri picks a side that includes joint top scorer from the group stage Raul Bobadilla and Turkey international Halil Altintop, not to be confused with his twin Hamit. 

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Milner, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge.

Augsburg XI: Hitz, Verhaegh, Stafylidis, Klavan, Janker, Feulner, Werner, Kohr, Altıntop, Esswein, Bobadilla

Not that I proclaim to be anywhere near Euro-hipster status, but I've actually visited Augsburg and what a lovely town it is too; full of Bavarian charm with touches of traditional architecture. 

I seem to remember the locals being very friendly as we watched the 2011 heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitchsko and David Haye. The rest of the night was quite fuzzy, but I digress. 

Time for some team news....

Image source, Getty Images

Of course, Herr Klopp is used to doing battle with Bavarian sides from his time as Borussia Dortmund manager. Rather than his old nemesis Bayern Munich, though, it's FC Augsburg who he'll be pitting his wits against this time. 

For those of you who are still earning your Euro-hipster badges, they are stationed 43 miles north west of Munich and have only been in the Bundesliga since 2011 after a rapid rise through the leagues.

Klopp has faced Augsburg eight times, with four wins, two draws and two defeats. 

So 132 days since Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager, the former Borussia Dortmund boss gets another taste of German football. 

To get him in the mood he ordered pretzels for dinner, but can his side return to England with a Bavarian scalp as the Europa League reaches the last 32?

Image source, Rex Features