Liverpool suffered their biggest defeat in the Europa League and the joint biggest defeat in European football in general on Thursday evening when they lost to Atalanta UEFA Europa League.
The Reds hosted the Serie A side in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge of the Kop. The German manager is in line for a treble this season after winning the League Cup, staying in the three-horse title race and the UEFA Europa League.
Liverpool was considered the heavy favorite to win the UEFA Europa League, but Thursday’s performance against the Bergamo side proved otherwise as the visitors took three goals and the win ahead of the second leg next week Thursday in Italy.
Atalanta’s 3-0 win is their eleventh unbeaten away match in the competition and creates a possibility of the defeat becoming Jurgen Klopp’s final European fixture at Anfield as Liverpool’s coach.
The signs were there early on as Caoimhin Kelleher kept the scores level after Harvey Elliott lost possession in his own half, leaving Gianluca Scamacca to cut the ball back to Mario Pašalić, whose effort was saved by the goalkeeper at point blank.
Elliott then tried his luck on the opposing end, hitting the woodwork with a curling effort, which bounced away to safety.
However, the Italian outfit took the lead before HT, as Davide Zappacosta found Scamacca in the area, whose tame effort nevertheless squirmed beneath Kelleher.
The first-half performance forced Jürgen Klopp into a triple change at halftime, and with the introduction of Mo Salah, Liverpool threatened as the Egyptian tested Juan Musso in Atalanta’s goal with a thunderous half-volley.
Atalanta stunned their host immediately as a free and unmarked Scamacca steered in Charles De Ketelaere’s cross with aplomb. Liverpool almost got one back through Salah, but the linesman’s flag ruled out his tap-in.
Atalanta scored a third goal late as Pašalić was on hand to tap home from close range save from Kelleher. Liverpool will face Crystal Palace first in the Premier League this weekend before traveling to Italy.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
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