Liverpool suffer Champions League setback after Atalanta’s quickfire double
Jürgen Klopp was unrepentant. Atalanta, appropriately impressed by a No 10 from Buenos Aires, not solely inflicted Liverpool’s first house defeat within the group phases of the Champions League for over six years, they made the Premier League champions look toothless. “We made five changes and it was very important we did that,” the Liverpool supervisor insisted. “It didn’t work out and that is part of the deal. But I would do it again.”
Klopp prioritised some brisker legs at Brighton in Saturday’s early kick-off over the strongest attainable probability of qualifying for the knockout section with two video games to spare, two video games that might give him a lot extra alternative to relaxation weary and fragile limbs. He misplaced.
Liverpool didn’t have a shot on track all night time and, in reality, by no means regarded like scoring as Atalanta, humiliated 5-0 on home soil when the groups met three weeks in the past, celebrated coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s two hundredth recreation in cost with a deserved win that rejuvenated their prospects of progressing.
Their Argentinian captain, Alejandro Gómez, was on the coronary heart of each targets because the Italians ended Liverpool’s Anfield successful streak this season and have become the primary crew since Real Madrid in October 2014 to win right here within the group phases. “This will be written in the pages of our history,” stated Gasperini. “This is perhaps the biggest victory in our history and certainly our most prestigious.”
After a second’s silence for the late, nice Diego Maradona, Atalanta made a decided begin, clearly intent on making amends for the 5-0 rout and helped in no small half by Klopp’s adjustments. Mohamed Salah returned after his Covid-19 self-isolation interval however Liverpool’s choice was clearly made with Brighton in thoughts.
Neco Williams and Rhys Williams, two of three youngsters in Liverpool’s beginning line-up together with Curtis Jones, featured in defence. Summer signing Kostas Tsimikas changed Andy Robertson at left-back and Divock Origi was handed a uncommon probability to impress at centre-forward. Liverpool’s first-half efficiency lacked any fluency or management as a consequence, though there appeared no mitigating elements so far as Klopp was involved.
The Liverpool supervisor berated his gamers all through the opening 45 minutes and sprinted down the tunnel as quickly because the half-time whistle blew in readiness for a couple of house truths. A clear sheet no less than supplied Liverpool one thing to construct on within the second half, and the competition was in determined want of one thing.
The hosts had one shot on the Atalanta aim within the first half. It took 44 minutes to reach and sailed excessive over Pierluigi Gollini’s crossbar from Salah’s proper boot after James Milner, Jones and Tsimikas mixed to work a Liverpool free-kick into the penalty space.
Salah did create the primary probability of the sport however with a wayward move throughout his personal half that fell straight to Atalanta ahead Josip Ilicic. The Slovenian worldwide had house to assault Rhys Williams and lower inside onto his left foot, however his effort drifted off track. Robin Gosens was a lot nearer to opening the scoring for the Italians when launched down the left by a lofted ball out of defence from Cristian Romero.
With no-one making a run into the Liverpool space, Gosens elected to go it alone with an audacious, highly effective drive in direction of Alisson’s close to submit. The Brazilian keeper ensured he was not caught out with a late response save. Gómez then drove a yard large from the sting of the realm after Neco Williams had been dispossessed and Ilicic embarrassed himself with a pathetic dive for a penalty after being tickled on the arm by Georginio Wijnaldum. Neither the referee nor VAR had been conned.
Klopp gave his much-changed crew alternative to enhance within the second half however 13 minutes in, he had seen sufficient. Four substitutes had been lined as much as come on within the 58th minute however whereas Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Fabinho and Robertson warmed up on the touchline, Atalanta broke the impasse.
Gómez, essentially the most artistic expertise on present, was on the coronary heart of the breakthrough, whipping over a pleasant cross from the left after the guests had constructed up play patiently via midfield. Ilicic, studying his captain’s intention completely, slid in behind the Liverpool defence to transform on the volley. Klopp’s 4 subs duly arrived however had been nonetheless feeling their means into the sport when Atalanta struck once more, and from the same supply.
From one other inviting Gómez cross from the left, Hans Hateboer headed again throughout aim and Gosens arrived unmarked to beat Alisson with a managed volley from 10 yards. There could be no response from Liverpool. Flat all through, they are going to require marked enchancment when Ajax go to subsequent week.
