Liverpool’s hopes of advancing in the Europa League took a significant blow as they suffered a shocking home defeat to Atalanta in the quarter-final first-leg clash at Anfield.
Former West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca proved to be the thorn in Liverpool’s side, netting goals in each half, while ex-Chelsea player Mario Pasalic sealed the victory with a late third goal.
The result leaves the Italian side as strong favorites to progress to the semi-finals as the two teams gear up for the return leg in Bergamo next Thursday.
Scamacca opened the scoring in the 38th minute after a rare mistake from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who allowed his low drive to slip under him.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to rally, including missed chances from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott striking the woodwork, they were unable to find their rhythm.
- Man United 2-2 Liverpool: The good, the bad and the ugly
- Liverpool take Premier League lead as Manchester City and Arsenal play to stalemate
Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities were ruthlessly exploited by Atalanta, with Scamacca doubling the lead in the 60th minute with a clinical finish, before Pasalic added insult to injury with a late strike.
This defeat marks the first at Anfield for the Reds underscoring the magnitude of the result as they aim to bounce back immediately in their next game in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
The streak is over for Liverpool#3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/ynAld2Pvyx
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 11, 2024
Manager Jurgen Klopp faces a daunting task of rallying his team as they face an uphill battle with a 3-0 deficit heading into the second leg in Italy.
The Europa League remains a significant target for Liverpool, especially with strong competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal still in contention.
Adding to the pressure is Klopp’s impending departure at the end of the season. The German tactician, who has announced his decision to leave the club, will be eager to secure a major trophy to mark his farewell on a high note, potentially adding to Liverpool’s silverware with a Europa League triumph.