Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta: Was this Jurgen Klopp’s last European night at Anfield?
- Liverpool suffers a 0-3 defeat against Atalanta, prompting speculation about Jurgen Klopp’s future at Anfield. Explore the match highlights and analysis as questions arise about Klopp’s European legacy with the club.
Liverpool’s aspirations of providing Jurgen Klopp with an unforgettable farewell in the Europa League final in Dublin the following month are in jeopardy.
The Reds boss has indicated he is quitting the club at the end of the season and his players were willing to extend the season to 22, when the final of Europe’s second-tier competition takes place.
Atalanta’s shocking 3-0 home loss in the first leg of the quarterfinal makes that seem like an impossible scenario right now.
Klopp, who has steered Liverpool to three Champions League finals – winning it in 2019 – looked bewildered at the final whistle and applauded fans as he disappeared down the tunnel.
But given Liverpool’s first home loss since falling to Real Madrid 5-2 in the Champions League in February 2023, which put an end to their 33-game unbeaten streak, was this his last European match at Anfield?
Liverpool loses shockingly at home to Atalanta
most recent Liverpool news, opinions, and analysis
Get Liverpool news notifications
“Players often appeared to be by themselves.”
With two previous home losses against Real Madrid, Liverpool’s performance was replete with costly errors and poor marking as they suffered their joint-heaviest defeat in a major European competition.
Atalanta, who sit sixth in the Serie A table and are 32 points behind leaders Inter Milan, took full advantage with a ruthless display – and will be strong favourites to progress to the semi-finals when the sides meet for next Thursday’s second leg in Italy.
According to former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, “they were arguably the worst I have ever seen them [under Klopp],” on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Liverpool was a poor team. squandering in possession and making numerous errors across the field.”
With Liverpool currently sitting second in the Premier League standings, level on 71 points with leaders Arsenal, but trailing on goal differential, Klopp made no apologies for what he believes is a passing anomaly rather than anything more concerning.
According to the German, “That was a bad performance, and that’s how it is,” TNT Sports reported.
“I was astonished by many of the performances tonight; I had no idea they could play so well. Many of the players appeared to be extremely lonely at various points. It was extremely awful.”
Tired Reds say, “The wheels have come off.”
Liverpool doesn’t have much time to bounce back from this loss.
The Premier League table has 14 teams, starting with Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 BST) at Anfield. The games are coming thick and fast.
Then the Reds are off to Italy to try to salvage their Europa League ambitions, before three successive away Premier League games inside a week against Fulham, Everton and West Ham.
“So many mistakes all over the pitch but Liverpool looked tired,” Warnock stated.
“They looked like a team that has played 56 games in a season and you could just see tired minds and tired bodies.” Former Reds winger Steve McManaman said the “wheels had come off” against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, whose goals came from Gianluca Scamacca’s double and Mario Pasalic’s late close-range finish. The Reds lost two points on Sunday as a result of a plethora of missed opportunities that led to a 2-2 draw at Manchester United. Against Atalanta, Liverpool’s defending came under fire as the visitors made it look easy at Anfield. Liverpool have been amazing this year but tonight, wow, the wheels have come off and all the substitutions haven’t made an impact like they have this year, said McManaman.
Can Liverpool turn tie around?
Naturally, Liverpool has a track record of overturning first-leg deficits in European competitions, so Klopp and his team will continue to have faith in their ability to turn the tide.
Can we reclaim it? Yes,” said Klopp. “If we play good it is conceivable. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea.
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of the Reds, stated that it’s crucial to control oneself.
The Netherlands defender continued, “There’s no point going to Italy if you don’t believe.”
“We have made it very hard for ourselves going there 3-0 down. However, winning the game on the weekend is the best way to recover.
“Everyone, please turn it back on. Then we can focus on putting out at least four goals over there.”
Former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch admitted the Reds faced a difficult task in Bergamo.
He said: “If anyone can turn it around, it’s them, but the third is really difficult for them.”
Read for more visits at : https://sportzbiz.co.uk/