Liverpool were made to pay after a poor performance left them 3-0 down to Atalanta in the quarter-final first leg
Ahead of this match-up between Liverpool and Atalanta, the Reds had been left disappointed on Sunday after only managing to grab a point at Old Trafford thanks to a late penalty scored by Mohamed Salah.
Jurgen Klopp’s team looked to secure a healthy advantage in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Atalanta at Anfield. The Reds advanced to the quarter-final following an 11-2 aggregate thrashing of Czech side Sparta Prague.
The team news was positive for Klopp’s side as Diogo Jota, Stefan Bajcetic and Trent Alexander-Arnold all returned to the match-day squad, albeit from the bench.
Prior to kick-off there was just one flag on the Kop, a protest to the club announcing an increase in ticket prices from next season.
Liverpool started well, and looked dangerous going forward. Darwin Nunez had a great chance to put the Reds 1-0 up early doors, but the Uruguayan saw his effort fly wide of the near post.
Shortly after, Harvey Elliott saw his name in lights and attempted a curling effort on his left foot, only to hit the underside of the crossbar before being cleared by Isak Hien.
Former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca found the breakthrough at Anfield after his shot creeped underneath Caoimhin Kelleher, who should have done better, to put Atalanta 1-0 up in the tie moments before half-time.
The interval acted as an opportunity for Klopp’s team to regroup and attack the Kop in the second half to salvage the first leg. Unfortunately, they were not able to do so.
It would be the same man again, Scamacca, to fire Atalanta 2-0 up at Anfield after he was left completely unmarked in the centre of the Liverpool box. Poor defending from the Reds left them in real trouble at home.
Ten minutes from full-time, Andy Robertson fired a low cross for Salah to chase onto, to which the Egyptian did so and score. Agonisingly the flag went up for an offside on Salah and the Reds were still chasing a two-goal deficit.
Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai was caught in possession by Scamacca, who played in Ederson, whose shot was initially saved by Kelleher, only to be rebounded for Mario Pasalic, who finished Liverpool off.
The full-time rang round an emptying Anfield and Liverpool had lost 3-0 at home to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. Poor passing, poor defending, poor finishing and no rhythm were all to blame for what was the worst performance from Liverpool I have seen in my, albeit short, 20 year life.
The Reds have somehow got to go to Bergamo and win by four goals to advance to the semi-final of the Europa League. The good news for Liverpool is that last time they went to Atalanta they won 5-0. Other than that, the good news is hard to come by.
Attentions quickly turn back to the Premier League title race, as Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday, 14 April, kick-off at 2pm. A response is not just a want but a need for Liverpool.
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas (Robertson 46), Jones (Szoboszlai 46), Endo (Jota 76), Mac Allister, Elliott (Salah 46), Nunez (Diaz 60), Gakpo.
Atalanta team: Musso, de Roon, Djimsiti, Hien, Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Scamacca, De Ketelaere (Miranchuk 89).
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