Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League despite beating Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo, with all the damage done in the first leg, as they fell to a 3-1 aggregate score.
The Reds, knowing they had a mountain to climb, came flying out the traps and enjoyed the perfect start seven minutes in when Mo Salah converted from the penalty spot to raise hopes of a historic comeback.
Salah was then guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance to reduce the deficit again in the first half, attempting to loop an effort over Juan Musso from Cody Gakpo’s teasing through ball, but blasted disappointingly wide.
Jurgen Klopp had urged his players, as he had against Barcelona back in 2019, to “fail in the most beautiful way” and while some of their play in the opening half – driven by the returning Trent Alexander-Arnold – was compelling it brought only one goal.
Team news
- Jurgen Klopp made six changes from the first leg defeat at Anfield. Both full-backs were dropped in favour of Liverpool’s preferred pairing – Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
- Dominik Szoboszlai came into midfield, meaning Wataru Endo missed out, while Luis Diaz and Mo Salah both started. Alisson was restored in goal.
- Atalanta made two changes – Sead Kolasinac and Aleksei Miranchuk came in.
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Liverpool’s well-documented wastefulness appears to be haunting them wherever they go, with the result compounding a particularly damaging few weeks, Klopp’s frustration clearly aimed at the way his side threw away the contest at Anfield a week ago. “It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle,” he said post-match.
Liverpool have now crashed out of the FA Cup to rivals Manchester United, lost ground to leaders Manchester City in the Premier League title race, and exited Europe to Serie A’s sixth-placed side all within a month – leaving Klopp’s dream farewell up in smoke.
How Atalanta dashed European dreams
Only the Premier League remains. It doesn’t feel like long ago that talk of a famous quadruple was surfacing – nothing but a distant memory now.
Liverpool have just six games, trailing Man City by two points in the table, in which to ensure their beloved manager does not leave with only a Carabao Cup winner’s medal to toast in his final season of a cherished nine-year reign.
Perhaps not surprisingly for a team entering the last-chance saloon, then, the visitors set off at a rapid pace.
With Alexander-Arnold making his first start since mid-February after injury, the balance felt more Liverpool-like, as the defender was given license to drift into midfield and link play with intricate short passes as well as raking long balls.
His cross, which hit the arm of Matteo Ruggeri, won the penalty after Luis Diaz had raced down the left and cut inside, which Salah converted to get Liverpool off to a dream start.
Salah has been well below his best since his own return from injury in February and he never looked comfortable when put clean through by Gakpo, with his lob over Musso ending harmlessly wide.
For all Liverpool’s will, Atalanta actually had the better chances of the second half, but Ederson and Koopmeiners both shot straight at Alisson.
A triple change – including Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliot – brought about very little change, and it was obvious the game was up way before the final whistle went in Bergamo.
When it did arrive, scenes of jubilation ensued, including fireworks – just celebration for a side who had progressed to their first European semi-final since 1988.
What’s next for Liverpool?
Sunday 21st April 4:00pm Kick off 4:30pm
Liverpool continue their Premier League title challenge on Sunday with a trip to Fulham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.
Jurgen Klopp’s side then face a Merseyside derby against Everton under the Goodison Park lights on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
Wednesday 24th April 7:00pm Kick off 8:00pm
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