Atalanta vs Liverpool. UEFA Europa League Quarter Final.
Gewiss StadiumAttendance14,994.
Match report as Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League after being unable to overturn a 3-0 first-leg loss; Mo Salah scored from the penalty spot to reduce arrears, but it was not enough to challenge Atalanta's commanding aggregate lead
Friday 19 April 2024 13:32, UK
Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League despite beating Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo, with all the damage done in the first leg, as they fell to a 3-1 aggregate score.
The Reds, knowing they had a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 at Anfield, came flying out the traps and enjoyed the perfect start seven minutes in when Mo Salah converted from the penalty spot to raise hopes of a historic comeback.
Salah was then guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance to reduce the deficit again in the first half, attempting to loop an effort over Juan Musso from Cody Gakpo's teasing through ball, blasting disappointingly wide.
Jurgen Klopp spoke about memories from the Barcelona fightback of 2019 pre-match, urging his players to "fail in the most beautiful way" and while some of their play in the first 45 minutes - driven by the returning Trent Alexander-Arnold - was compelling it brought only one goal. Not nearly enough.
Liverpool's well-documented wastefulness appears to be haunting them wherever they go, with the result compounding a particularly damaging few weeks, Klopp's frustration clearly aimed at the way his side threw away the contest on home soil a week ago.
"It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle," he said post-match, while vowing to "throw everything" at Premier League glory.
Liverpool have now crashed out of the FA Cup to rivals Manchester United, lost ground to leaders Manchester City in the title race, and exited Europe to Serie A's sixth-placed side all within a month - leaving Klopp's farewell tour hanging by a very loose thread.
Only the Premier League remains. It doesn't feel like long ago that talk of a famous quadruple was surfacing - nothing but a distant memory now.
Liverpool have just six games, trailing Man City by two points in the table, in which to ensure their beloved manager does not leave with only a Carabao Cup winner's medal to toast in his final season of a nine-year reign.
Perhaps not surprisingly for a team entering the last-chance saloon, then, the visitors set off at a rapid pace.
With Alexander-Arnold making his first start since mid-February after injury, the balance felt more Liverpool-like, as the defender was given license to drift into midfield and link play with intricate short passes as well as raking long balls.
His cross, which hit the outstretched arm of Matteo Ruggeri, won the penalty after Luis Diaz had raced down the left and cut inside, which Salah converted, before a golden chance to claw back another goal fell the Egyptian's way five minutes before the break.
Salah has been below his best since his own return from injury in February and never looked comfortable when put clean through by Gakpo, with his lob over Musso ending harmlessly wide.
For all Liverpool's will, Atalanta actually had the better chances of the second half, but Ederson and Koopmeiners both shot straight at Alisson.
A triple change - including Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliot - brought about very little change, and it was obvious the game was up way before the final whistle went in Bergamo.
When it did arrive, scenes of jubilation ensued, including a display of fireworks - just celebration for a side who had progressed to their first European semi-final since 1988, dismissing the tournament favourites in the process.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to TNT Sports: "It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle. I liked the game a lot tonight with the desire and power the boys show. It was incredible from them.
"It was really tricky and we were too hasty in moments. If Trent Alexander-Arnold had been a bit fitter we could have gone a bit longer, but it is insane that he has even played! In the end he was running out of gas.
"We won the game and that was the reaction we wanted to show. It was difficult and we knew it would be but they deserve to go through 100 per cent.
"We have to focus on the league and that is exactly what we will do from now. Tonight we won the game so we are back to winning ways.
"It is mixed emotions. We are out but I am happy with the game. We would have wished that we could have gone to Dublin but that hasn't happened. We now have one competition left and we will throw ourselves into that completely."
Liverpool continue their Premier League title challenge on Sunday with a trip to Fulham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.
Jurgen Klopp's side then face a Merseyside derby against Everton under the Goodison Park lights on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
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