Europa League: Liverpool walk tightrope after Atalanta thrash Reds 3-0 at Anfield

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Gianluca Scamacca scored twice in Atalanta’s massive 3-0 away victory against Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

The Bergamo club will take a huge advantage back home after completely tearing Anfield apart. Liverpool’s loss to Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday was also their first at Anfield in 14 months.

Atalanta came close to breaking the deadlock when Mario Pasalic’s shot hit the face of Caoimhin Kelleher for a great save to deny the Croatian.

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Liverpool had chances to score but missed golden opportunities. Darwin Nunez, in his attempt to chip Juan Musso, misplaced his kick when left one-on-one with the Argentine goalie.

Harvey Elliot’s wonderful curling effort hit the crossbar, then the post, before a crucial clearance was made.

Scamacca scores double

The breakthrough eventually came in the 38th minute when Scamacca converted a cross from Davide Zappacosta. Teun Koopmeiners also missed a one-on-one chance as he was denied by Kelleher.

At the resume of the second half, Jurgen Klopp sent on Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Andy Robertson. They replaced Elliot, Curtis Jones and Konstantinos Tsimikas respectively.

Nunez was guilty of missing another chance in the second half, following a beautiful cutback from Cody Gakpo, before the Uruguayan was substituted for another South American Luis Diaz.

On the stroke of the hour mark, Atalanta doubled their prized lead as Scamacca grabbed his second. He was left totally unmarked in the box as he met an incisive cross from Charles De Ketelaere before taking a first time finish.

Pasalic wrapped up the emphatic victory after he converted a rebound in the 83rd minute. Kelleher had saved Ederson’s close effort before Pasalic met the loose ball and wasted no time in making it 3-0.

This was Liverpool’s first Anfield loss since a 5-2 trouncing at the hands of Real Madrid in February 2023.

WHAT NEXT?

Liverpool has a home game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 14, at 2pm (WAT/GMT+1/BST).

Meanwhile, Atalanta return to Serie A action next Monday with a home clash against Hellas Verona.

Liverpool and Atalanta compete in the return leg of this Europa League quarter-final tie next Thursday at the Gewiss Stadium.