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:
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
31 mins: Gakpo sees Elliott making the run down the opposite wings and tries to hit the diagonal, but the Dutchman’s pass is overhit.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
30 mins: Sloppy pass from Konate and Atalanta have possession again, and they win a free-kick after Tsimikas catches Djimsiti. If Tsimikas had got that challenge right, Liverpool were four-on-two.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
27 mins: Liverpool lose possession cheaply after a mix-up between Gakpo and Tsimikas.
Mac Allister brings a high ball down with a lovely touch and wins a free-kick.
Nunez surges into the box down the right and clips in a cross. It runs to Jones and he tries the curled effort into the far corner, but it goes over.
Liverpool in control now.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
25 mins: First booking of the night as Hien brings down Nunez on the edge of the penalty box. Nunez had done well to knock the ball between the two defenders.
Tsimikas swings the ball in and it bounces back to Elliott. The England youngster opens his body up and curls one towards the far post, and it hits the underside of the bar, then the post, and bounces out!
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
22 mins: Liverpool don’t look like they were expecting this difficult a game, though that’s fair given Atalanta’s recent form. The away fans are in fine voice, waving their scarves above their heads.
Both sides are trying to calm the game down a bit now. Liverpool are keeping it easily among their defenders and Kelleher.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
21 mins: Atalanta have forced Liverpool to go long from goal kicks several times so far, and it’s working to their advantage for now. Liverpool do look dangerous on the break though.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
19 mins: A few exchanges of possession as we approach the halfway point of the half. Gomez is fouled in his half as Liverpool look to counter.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
17 mins: Gakpo does well to win possession in the Atalanta half, but Liverpool can’t immediately capitalise. Mac Allister wins a free-kick and Liverpool recycle possession in their half.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
15 mins: Neither side has really found their rhythm yet, but Atalanta have definitely had the better chances.
Until just now that is! Curtis Jones slips a lovely through ball behind the Atalanta defence, and Nunez has made a lovely run. He’s one-on-one but he tries the clever near-post finish, and he just scuffs it wide! Big chance.
Liverpool 0-0 Atalanta
13 mins: Atalanta win a dangerous free-kick to the right of the box. Koopmeiners will take.
It’s a deep delivery, and it runs out for a goal kick.
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