Two days on from Liverpool’s dreadful Europa League loss against Atalanta, and the wounds are still pretty fresh.
Thankfully, the Reds have the chance to put things to bed a little when they take on Crystal Palace back at Anfield tomorrow. Until then though, the pain will remain.
For the players, they’ll hopefully be feeling that, too. It wasn’t good enough from the men in red on Thursday, with the likes of Darwin Nunez rightfully criticised post-game.
If they can bottle that feeling and use it for tomorrow’s clash with Palace, then you wouldn’t want to be in the visitor’s shoes. There’s still plenty to play for and Liverpool can turn the hurt into a positive thing.
Immediately after the game though, the feeling was one of shock for supporters and pundits. Now, Alexis Mac Allister has shared how the players involved reacted in the aftermath of Liverpool’s joint-worst home European defeat.
Alexis Mac Allister shares dressing room reaction
We’re not sure we’ll ever fully know exactly why Liverpool turned in the performance they did against Atalanta.
It wasn’t necessarily from nowhere, as they have looked a little leggy for a couple of games now. But the level has rarely ever been so poor at any point under Jurgen Klopp.
There were one or two bright spots, with Klopp praising Curtis Jones, for example. But there weren’t many who could hold their heads up high.
Thankfully, it sounds like the players knew that themselves. Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com today, Mac Allister admitted that the Reds dressing room had been virtually silent after the game.
“There was not much to say – I think we all feel the same,” said the 25-year-old, when asked how the reaction amongst the players had been.
“It didn’t feel good during the game and it didn’t feel good afterwards. It’s as simple as that. We couldn’t do what we wanted, what we know. It’s credit to them as well, they did a very good game.”
What next for Liverpool
Obviously, attention now returns to getting Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge back on-track this weekend.
After last Sunday’s draw against Manchester United, they’ll need to take three points at Anfield when they take on Crystal Palace tomorrow.
Beyond that, they’ll have the chance to earn back a bit of pride in the return leg against Atalanta on Thursday. As Virgil van Dijk said after the game, the tie isn’t completely dead, but it’ll take a big performance to turn it around.
The trip to Italy begins a run of four away games in just nine days, with Liverpool heading to Fulham, Everton and then West Ham. Big response needed from Mac Allister and co.