Liverpool lost in the “most beautiful way”, as Jurgen Klopp demanded, but still suffered their worst European outing.
Even Klopp’s poetry couldn’t hide the humiliation and it’s a major stain on his final season. Klopp had only lost to Madrid and Sevilla in his 8 European campaigns at Anfield and no one expected Atalanta to add their call-up to that list.
As much of a fighter as Liverpool were last night, the damage obviously done at Anfield and even the Reds, with their mythical recovery powers, couldn’t turn back the clock. It’s certainly not the Liverpool of today and all they had to show for their efforts was an early penalty. by Mohamed Salah.
It is the only goal they have scored in their last 3 games and they have yet to return to their most productive level. Liverpool were better than at Anfield a week ago, it hasn’t been difficult and Klopp hopes to be able to come. of its lowest level that rocked the season.
There will be no last hurrah for Klopp and Liverpool at the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22 and their final farewell will be the Reds’ final home game against Wolves three days earlier.
There is still the league to go and Liverpool will face Fulham on Sunday, but the Reds still have a few steps to go. Liverpool ran out of steam in the second half and Trent Alexander-Arnold, their player last night, may just hold on. He was out for just over 70 minutes to get back into shape.
Last week’s monumental 3-0 win at Anfield for Atalanta and the fans outdoors at Gewiss Stadium sparked a roaring industry promoting scarves commemorating the victory. The task was not yet quite finished and Klopp made six changes, a sign that Liverpool were in ultra-serious shape after committing the cardinal sin of being complacent in the first leg.
Liverpool needed an early goal and got it when Matteo Ruggeri headed home a cross from Alexander-Arnold. Alexander-Arnold had the freedom of the park when Liverpool were in possession and after locating Andy Robertson with a raked pass, he crossed from the right and Ruggeri controlled after the Atalanta midfielder received a weak header from a ball from Dominik Szoboszlai.
VAR showed the flagrant handball and Salah sent the penalty in the 7th minute for his 24th goal of the season. Now Liverpool were swaying and Szoboszlai warmed Juan Musso’s hands with a shot before Berat Gjimshiti cut off the danger when Cody Gakpo combined with Salah to play Luis. Diaz.
Despite all the Liverpool tension, Atalanta posed a sporadic risk and Aleksei Miranchuk fired a left-footed shot across goal before Teun Koopmeiners had an attempt disallowed for offside. Salah added a moment for the Reds when he was brought on by Gakpo, but the ailing striker lifted the ball over Musso, who was advancing, away from the goal.
Atalanta had their first shot on target when Alisson saved Ederson’s shot and it was a rare attack by the home side. Liverpool kept up the tension and Virgil van Dijk’s header from an Alexander-Arnold free-kick went smoothly past Musso.
Atalanta looked dangerous at half-time and Koopmeiners turned well, to shoot straight at Alisson after Gakpo lost possession. Liverpool were tired and Atalanta knew that one of the most noticeable effects in their European history was theirs.
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