Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta - Huge shock as visitors stun Reds at Anfield in UEFA Europa League quarter-final
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Updated 12/04/2024 at 08:56 GMT+1
Liverpool's hopes of claiming the UEFA Europa League trophy in Jurgen Klopp's final season as manager were dealt a massive blow as they slumped to a crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta in the quarter-finals. It was a remarkable result as the visitors pounced in clinical fashion to punish Liverpool and record a memorable result against Klopp's off-colour side.
Liverpool v Atalanta - UEFA Europa League highlights as visitors stun Anfield
Atalanta recorded a famous 3-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Liverpool at Anfield as the Premier League side were left stunned in front of their own fans.
Gianluca Scamacca struck a superb double either side of half-time (38' and 60') before Mario Pasalic (83') added what could be a killer third for the clinical Italian side in the 83rd minute.
Mohamed Salah was introduced at half-time with Liverpool trailing, but even he could not retrieve the situation as his finish on 79 minutes was ruled offside.
Pasalic's 50th goal for Atalanta condemned the tournament favourites to a grim evening and leaves them needing to win by four goals in the return leg next Thursday against a side occupying sixth spot in Serie A.
It was little wonder Atalanta celebrated with the visiting fans at full-time after arguably their greatest European victory.
Talking Point: Can Liverpool mount a miraculous comeback?
It is difficult to see how Liverpool can hit back in Bergamo next week, such was the one-sided nature of this defeat.
In truth, they were lucky not to suffer a heavier loss, such was the slick nature of Gian Piero Gasperini's side's slick counter-attacking ambitions.
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'Astonishing!' - Liverpool left stunned as Atalanta score third goal in huge shock
If Liverpool can somehow win by four in the return leg next Thursday, it would be a comeback to rival their UEFA Champions League final triumph from 3-0 down against Milan in 2005.
It certainly does not look like Klopp is going to end his season by lifting the only major trophy to elude him during his eight years in charge at Anfield after the end of a 33-match unbeaten home run.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing really positive to say about the game," he told TNT Sports after his side's first defeat at Anfield since a 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last February.
"I know already that if we do a couple of things better, we will be better. Can we win it back? Yes, if we play good it is possible. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea. But this feels really bad and that's important."
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Jurgen Klopp
Image credit: Getty Images
Player of the Match: Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)
Two brilliant finishes from the striker to floor the home side as he showed the edge and quality Liverpool lacked all night. The composure of his second finish was a genuine thing of beauty.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Kelleher 5, Tsimikas 5, Konate 5, Van Dijk 5, Gomez 5, Endo 5, Mac Allister 5, Jones 5, Elliot 5, Nunez 5, Gakpo 5 Subs: Diaz 5, Salah 6, Jota 5, Robertson 6, Szoboszlai 5
Atalanta: Musso 7, Hien 7, Djimsiti 7, Ruggeri 7, Zappacosta 7, Ederson 7, De Roon 7, Koopmeiners 8, Pasalic 8, De Ketelaere 7, Scamacca 8 Subs: Miranchuk 6
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Scamacca strikes again at Anfield in unbelievable scenes against Liverpool
Match Highlights
5' ATALANTA BLOW GOLDEN CHANCE TO LEAD Well, an incredible start to this match as ball broke kindly to Mario Pasalic five yards out, but his shot careers off the head of Kelleher in the home goal and behind for a corner. How did that not go in? Remarkable save. Even if he didn't know much about it.
38' GOAL!!! - LIVERPOOL 0-1 ATALANTA (SCAMACCA) Atalanta have taken the lead at Anfield! The visitors work the ball well down the right flank as Zappacosta bursts forward. The full-back pulls a cross back for Scamacca, whose effort is relatively weak, but it finds its way past Kelleher and into the bottom right corner. The goalkeeper has to do better!
46' ALMOST A SECOND FOR ATALANTA Kelleher off his line to make a fine stop from Koopmeiners. Brilliant save seconds before the break. And that is the half-time whistle. Klopp with plenty to consider in the second period of this.
60' GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA (SCAMACCA) What a finish. First-time cushioned finish from Scamacca inside the box for his second of the night. Lovely ball from De Ketelaere. Superb goal. 2-0 they lead. What a night.
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Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta BC celebrates with Matteo Ruggeri of Atalanta BC after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final first leg match between Liverpool FC and Atalanta at Anfield
Image credit: Getty Images
79' SALAH HAS THE BALL IN THE NET! Robertson finds Salah at the back post and the Egyptian slams the ball into the net, but the flag is up and it won't count!
83' GOAL!!! LIVERPOOL 0-3 ATALANTA (PASALIC) Wow! Atalanta have a third at Anfield! Liverpool lose possession in midfield and Scamacca slots a through ball to the onrunning Ederson, but his effort is saved by Kelleher. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Pasalic is in the right place at the right time to tap in the rebound! Liverpool have a HUGE mountain to climb in this tie!
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