A dismal night for Liverpool saw Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a possible treble all but over as The Reds suffered a 3-0 loss to Serie A side Atalanta – all but ending their participation in the Europa League.
Liverpool went into the game, expecting to win – while Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini had won just two of their last nine in all competitions. It looked a pretty foregone conclusion ahead of the game.
But, Atalanta were absolutely excellent. The likes of Teun Koopmeiners – linked with a move to Anfield – along with Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere and Marco Pasalic saw Atalanta dominate the game.
Atalanta’s press worked to perfection in the first half and in the second 45, with Liverpool chasing the game – the Serie A side pounced on the counter. Scamacca got two goals, Pasalic got a third goal.
Liverpool humbled by excellent Atalanta at Anfield
The Reds were all over the place. Klopp made a number of changes and they really did not work, with the Reds losing the ball on so many occasions in the first 45. Atalanta found so much space when on the ball.
Scamacca gave Atalanta the lead and with the scoreline reading 1-0, Koopmeiners was found on his side’s right flank in absolute acres – forcing Caoimhin Kelleher to come out and make a crucial save in the box.
With the half-time whistle incoming, Steve McManaman – while on co-commentary duties on TNT Sports – could not believe how much space Konstantinos Tsimikas afforded Koopmeiners, just before the break.
What Steve McManaman said about Konstantinos Tsimikas
“Where was the left-back? A big touch allowed Kelleher to get in close. He [Koopmeiners] was in glorious isolation again down this right-hand side. Where is Tsimikas?” McManaman said, fuming with Tsimikas.
It won’t come as a surprise that at half-time Klopp made four changes and Greece star Tsimikas was one of those. But they did not work and the damage was already seemingly done, Atalanta scoring two more.
A woeful result, and having already won the Carabao Cup and pushing for the League title – Klopp’s aim to win three trophies come the end of the season are now in disarray. This could be a defining moment.
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