Liverpool vs Atalanta LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as hosts crash to shock 3-0 defeat
The Reds hope to take control of their quarter-final tie when they take on the Serie A side at Anfield.
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Liverpool host Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie at Anfield this evening. Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour continues with the Reds having dipped into second place in the Premier League following a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the weekend.
Now, Liverpool are tasked with excelling in Europe’s second competition where they are one of the favourites to win the trophy after a strong group stage. The Reds won four of their six matches and finished top of Group E setting up a round of 16 clash with Sparta Prague.
The Czech side were no match for Klopp’s positive side and slumped to an 11-2 aggregate defeat over the two legs with Liverpool netting six at Anfield back in March. If they can replicate those performances Liverpool have the chance to put one foot in the semi-finals when they take on Atalanta tonight. The Italian side sit in sixth in Serie A having won just two of their last nine games.
Follow all the action from Anfield plus get the latest Europa League odds and tips right here:
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
The teams are back out onto the pitch ahead of the second half. Liverpool will fancy their chances of winning this game, but they’ll need to be wary of the Italian side’s threat.
Are there any more surprises in store? When will Klopp start to call on his – admittedly stacked – subs bench?
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
HALF-TIME! The whistle blows after that Atalanta chance and Liverpool go into the break 1-0 down.
A promising start for the hosts has turned into a difficult scenario. A couple of Liverpool players who are hoping to become regular starters haven’t helped themselves so far tonight.
Atalanta have put in a fairly impressive performance so far out of possession, and thought they were found lacking when they had the ball on a couple of occasions, they head down the tunnel with the lead.
Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
45 mins: There’ll be one minute added on here.
Out of nowhere another chance for Atalanta! Koopmeiners is in acres of space as he receives the ball near the box. He drives towards goal but Kelleher comes out well and makes the save.
Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
43 mins: No chances since the goal. If anything, Liverpool are still being a little sloppy in possession.
Koopmeiners gets in down the right and slips it to De Ketelaere in the box, but the Belgian’s flick is collected by Kelleher.
Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
41 mins: Perhaps a little harsh on Liverpool that – the home side had had some great chances, but they’d also had warnings with Atalanta’s chances.
Klopp looks a little bemused on the sidelines as we approach half-time.
Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
40 mins: Liverpool try and equalise right away but Elliott’s cross is overhit.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Atalanta
37 mins: GOAL! Out of nowhere!
Zappacosta breaks down the right and he plays a pinpoint cross to Scamacca. The Italian’s shot is fairly weak and is almost straight at Kelleher, but it squeezes past him and into the net!
Not sure if it’s harsh but think the Irishman should do better there.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
37 mins: Liverpool have been forced into playing it long far more than they’d like to so far, but they have almost benefited from it a few times.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
34 mins: van Dijk does well to dispossess De Ketelaere right in the corner, with a little help from Konate. Liverpool can’t make anything of the counter though.
Tsimikas is the latest to win possession, with Atalanta struggling to keep the ball for even a minute at the moment.
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