Liverpool were knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta despite winning 1-0 in Bergamo
Liverpool Football Club are well known for their European comebacks. St. Etienne in 1977, Olympiacos in 2004, AC Milan in 2005, Borussia Dortmund in 2016 and, of course, Barcelona in 2019. Jurgen Klopp’s team required another miraculous night of football if they were to advance to the semi-final of the Europa League.
Atalanta won the first leg at Anfield 3-0 – Liverpool’s first home defeat since losing 5-2 to Real Madrid in February 2023. A poor display on both occasions, and the Reds weren’t able to turn around their deficit last season at the Santiago Bernabeu, they were hoping for a change of fortunes on Thursday night.
And they couldn’t have asked for a better start either. Within the first five minutes the referee awarded a penalty for Liverpool after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was deemed to have been controlled unlawfully by the hand of Matteo Ruggeri.
Mohamed Salah stepped up to take the penalty kick, which was converted with ease to reduce the deficit from three to two goals. The Reds now had pretty much 90 minutes including stoppage time to score two more.
The first half for Liverpool was the return of the Liverpool we had become well accustomed to this season. High press, winning the ball back in midfield, defence looking much stronger than the past few games.
The half-time whistle soon blew, with Liverpool leading 1-0 in Bergamo, still needing three more goals to advance to the semi-final. An almost carbon copy of that night against Barcelona.
Only this time, Liverpool didn’t have Divock Origi. Liverpool didn’t have Georginio Wijnaldum. And unfortunately for the Reds, they were heading out of Europe on this occasion.
They weren’t able to muster another goal in the second half, and lost control of the match all together. Atalanta protected their scoreline and saw out a 3-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool.
Although disappointing, it’s exactly what Liverpool deserved after their atrocious first leg display at Anfield. Atalanta were well-drilled, tactically disciplined and fully earned their dues.
They will face Olympique de Marseille in the semi-final, as the other side of the bracket sees Roma play Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
It was an unfortunate way for Jurgen Klopp’s European journey with Liverpool to end. Three Champions League finals, one Europa League final and bringing home number 6 to Anfield is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
It’s now full focus on the Premier League title race. The Reds are two points off top spot with six games to go. Win all those games and Liverpool finish on 89 points – a pretty strong points tally.
Next up is a trip to the Capital to play Fulham at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is at 4.30pm on Sunday 21 April.
Atalanta team: Musso, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, de Roon, Ederson (Pasalic 75), Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Miranchuk (Lookman 79), Scamacca (De Ketelaere 75).
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 72), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Danns 79), Szoboszlai (Elliott 66), Jones, Mac Allister, Salah (Nunez 66), Gakpo, Diaz (Jota 66).
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