Liverpool was knocked out of the UEFA Europa League at the quarter-final stage despite a victory against Atalanta.
On Thursday night, Jurgen Klopp’s men secured a 1-0 win against Atalanta in Bergamo, but it was not enough as the Italian side qualified for the next round with a 3-1 win on aggregate.
Atalanta defended their three-goal lead after a memorable win at Anfield to reach the Europa League semi-finals. Gasperini’s men kept their composure after conceding an early goal and didn’t collapse under Klopp’s men’s pressure in the first half. The Bergamo side produced a disciplined and mature performance in the last 45 minutes and kept Liverpool’s attackers quiet. It is fair to say that Atalanta deservedly eliminated the tournament’s favourite over the two legs.
Atalanta vs Liverpool: Play-by-Play
The English side started the game on the front foot and won a penalty in the 5th minute after an Atalanta player touched the ball with his hand. Mohamed Salah scored his 24th goal of the season from the pot.
The hosts had an opportunity to equalize after Diaz gave the ball away in the 19th minute. However, Alisson managed to save his goal after Miranchuk’s heavy touch.
The ball reached Miranchuk inside Liverpool’s penalty area on the left after they gave it away cheaply but his shot went wide of the far post.
Salah had a great chance to score another goal after Gakpo played him through on goal in the 39th minute but he sent his shot wide of the far post.
Teun Koopmeiners scored for Atlanta in the 41st minute but it was ruled out as offside.
Van Dijk could scored from Arnold’s free-kick at the far post but the keeper dealt easily with his header. Moments later, Ederson had a good chance to score for Atalanta from 15 yards out but he wasted his opportunity.
Gasperini’s side defended better and deeper in the second half and frustrated Liverpool. The visitors failed to create any dangerous chance in the last 40 minutes and Atalanta was more treating after half-time.
Atalanta Player Ratings (3-4-2-1)
Juan Musso (gk) – 7: Solid performance. Conceded from the penalty spot and made some good saves.
Berat Djimsiti (CB) – 7: Made several crucial interceptions and won all of his aerial duels.
Isak Hien (CB)- 6: Struggled in the first half and was fortunate to avoid a red card. Much better after halftime.
Sead Kolasinac (CB)- 6: Used his experience to handle Salah and made no major errors.
Davide Zappacosta (RWB) – 6: Quiet in the first half, but was much livelier in the second half. Struggled to make much of an impact going forward.
Marten de Roon (CM) – 6: Overall a solid performance in the middle of the park but made some sloppy passes.
Ederson (CM)- 6: Made some good tackles and won his aerial duels. Missed his team’s best chance in the second half.
Matteo Ruggeri (LWB) – 5: Conceded an early penalty with a handball. Failed to make an impact.
Teum Koopmeiners (AM) – 7: Atalanta’s best player on the night. A constant danger with his runs behind the defense. Pressed well throughout the game.
Aleksey Miranchuk (ST) – 5: Wasted his opportunities with clumsy touches. Anonymous for most of the game.
Gianluca Scamacca (ST) – 6: Failed to repeat his excellent performance at Anfield but still caused problems for Liverpool defenders.
Substitutes
Charles De Ketelaere (for Scamacca, 75′) – 6: Failed to impact the game as Atalanta didn’t have much of the ball.
Mario Pasalic (for Ederson, 75′) – 6: Solid performance in just 15 minutes.
Ademola Lookman (for Miranchuk 80′) – 6: Not enough time to make an impact.
Manager
Gian Piero Gasperini 7/10: His team struggled in the opening minutes but stayed in the game. Made some tweaks at half-time, and they were much better in the second half as Liverpool failed to create any chance. Won the tactical battle against Klopp over both legs.
Liverpool Player Ratings (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker (GK) – 7/10: Made two decent saves in the second half on a quiet night.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – 7/10: Won a penalty with his cross and showed his passing ability but got tired in the second half.
Ibrahima Konate (CB) – 6/10: Made good tackles and won his duels, but was poor on the ball.
Virgil van Dijk (CB) – 6/10: Far from his best game, but still was composed on the ball.
Andy Robertson (LB) – 6/10: Solid in defense but was not dangerous going forward.
Dominik Szoboszlai (CM) 5/10: His passing was not sharp and was anonymous after half-time.
Alexis Mac Allister (CM) 6/10: Solid in defense but made some poor passes. Not one of his best performances.
Curtis Jones (CM) 5/10: Made Some good recoveries but failed to make an impact on the game.
Mohamed Salah (RW) 4/10: Scored from the penalty spot but missed a great chance to double the lead. Still far from his best and was replaced in the second half.
Cody Gakpo (ST) 6/10: Liverpool’s best attacker on the night. Looked sharp and created problems with his runs behind the defense.
Luis Diaz (LW) 6/10: Good movement off the ball and tireless running, but struggled to make too much of an impact.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (4/10): Was poor and failed to make an impact.
Joe Gomez (6/10): Solid performance in his 20 minutes on the pitch.
Diogo Jota (5/10): Was unable to change the game and didn’t have any chance to score.
Harvey Elliott (5/10): Offered very little.
Jayden Danns (N/A): Not enough time to make an impact.
Manager
Jurgen Klopp (6/10): Picked a full-strength side, and they were dominant in the first 20 minutes. His team’s intensity dropped off in the second half, and they ran out of ideas. Failed to change the game with his changes.
