Liverpool vs Atalanta Match Overview
Liverpool went down 3-0 to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. A brace from Gianluca Scamacca coupled with another goal from Mario Pasalic has put the Reds on the brink.
Coming into the match unbeaten at home for about 14 months, the Reds were heavy favorites to prevail here, also considering the contrasting run of form of the two sides. Yet, it was Gli Orobici who started the game on a brighter note, with Pasalic coming close to scoring.
In the 38th minute, though, there was no denying the visitors as Scamacca finished a cross from Davide Zappacosta from close range to put Atalanta in front. Teun Koopmeiners also had a great chance, but Caoimhin Kelleher came rushing off his line to smother the chance by closing him down.
At the hour mark, Scamacca came back to haunt Liverpool as the Italian found acres of space in behind their backline to make an easy finish beyond Kelleher. Pasalic put the final nail in the home side’s coffin when pounced on a loose ball after Kelleher had pushed Ederson’s initial shot away. It fell kindly into the Croatian’s path, who had the goal gaping in front of him and made no mistake while burying it.
Liverpool now faces an uphill battle in Bergamo next week to reach the semi-final as their European campaign seems all but over now.
Liverpool vs Atalanta Player Ratings
Liverpool Player Ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher (GK) – 6.5/10: He conceded thrice on the night and could have done better for some of them, but Kelleher also made vital saves on Koopmeiners and Pasalic in the first half to prevent Atalanta from widening their lead before the break
Joe Gomez (RB) – 5/10: Atalanta targeted Liverpool’s right side of defense as Gomez left acres of space and their third goal came from that end too. Defensively, too, he offered no resistance
Ibrahima Konate (CB) – 7/10: He was key to winning possession and showed excellent vision, making three clearances, but Konate also played Scamaccca onside in the build-up to Atalanta’s third goal
Virgil van Dijk (CB) – 6/10: The Liverpool skipper always sought to pick his side up and displayed true leadership qualities but ultimately a horrific collective performance means he too takes his share of the blame for it
Kostas Tsimikas (LB) – 5/10: The Greek wasn’t positionally sound either, getting caught out a few times by Atalanta, who caused plenty of menace from out wide
Alexis Mac Allister (RM) – 5/10: So often the star player these days, but Mac Allister looked way off his best on the night, unable to pull strings for the Reds and conjure anything meaningful from an attacking standpoint
Wataru Endo (CM) – 5.5/10: He made a few clearances but ultimately couldn’t do anything to protect the back-four enough
Curtis Jones (LM) – 6.5/10: At 92% completion rate, his passing was top-notch, while Jones also created a big chance for Nunez, which he ended up spurning
Harvey Elliott (RW) – 6/10: Elliott saw a shot come off the bar in the first half, which was perhaps the only highlight of his game in the opening stanza, after which he was taken off
Darwin Nunez (ST) – 5/10: A frustrating performance from the Uruguayan, who asked questions of Atalanta’s defense with his clinical press, but wasn’t clinical enough with his chances
Cody Gakpo (LW) – 7.5/10: A bright spark in Liverpool’s attack, constantly finding holes in Atalanta’s defense and creating scores of chances. He laid five key passes but missed a good opportunity to score himself
Atalanta Player Ratings
Juan Musso (GK) – 7.5/10: Atalanta’s goalkeeper was eclipsed by the goalscorers at the other end but Musso deserves credit for a fine showing in goal as he made seven saves on the night
Berat Djimsiti (CB) – 7/10: The Albanian manned the defese with aplomb, keeping Liverpool attackers at bay all night
Isak Hien (CB) – 7/10: He blocked a shot by Salah in the 55th minute after having intercepted a cross by Mac Allister just moments earlier
Martin de Roon (CB) – 7/10: The Dutchman worked in tandem with his defensive cohorts to deny Liverpool’s forwards any chance to find an opening
Davide Zappacosta (RM) – 7.5/10: A menace on the right wing as Zappacosta raced forward at every opportunity and made some crosses, one of which helped set up Scamacca for his opening goal
Ederson (CM) – 6.5/10: He was a vital part of their attacking game in the first half and saw a great effort saved late on
Mario Pasalic (CM) – 8.5/10: A thorn in Liverpool’s flesh off the ball with his timely interventions as Pasalic made five tackles, while also capping off Atalanta’s memorable night with a third goal in the closing stages
Matteo Ruggeri (LM) – 7/10: He utilized the space on the left and looked to cause Liverpool problems with his runs and link-up play
Teun Koopmeiners (AM) – 7.5/10: His ball-winning capabilities were on full display, winning six ground duels, while also posing a direct threat to Liverpool, although the Belgian saw a good chance thwarted by Kelleher in the first half
Charles De Ketelaere (ST) – 8/10: A creative inspiration for Atalanta on the night, as he made three big chances on the night, including for Scamacca’s second
Gianluca Scamacca (ST) – 9/10: Atalanta’s hero of the night with a fine brace that gives them a huge advantage going into the second leg
Also Read: Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp Was Displeased with Joe Gomez Amidst Atalanta Defeat