Liverpool were stunned 3-0 by Atalanta at Anfield in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday, April 11.
The Reds entered this game on the back of a decent run of form. With just one defeat in their last eight games across competitions, they were in pretty good shape. Jurgen Klopp’s men secured five wins and two draws in the other seven games.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher – 6/10
Kelleher made a rookie mistake for Atalanta’s first goal as he allowed the ball to roll into the goal after a weak save. He played eight long balls.
Joe Gomez – 6/10
Gomez struggled against Atalanta’s left side and won just three of his seven duels. He was also dispossessed a staggering 21 times.
Ibrahima Konate – 7/10
Konate had a decent game in defense as he won 10 duels, making three clearances and one interception. He also played four long balls.
Virgil van Dijk – 6.5/10
Van Dijk was passive while defending in key situations at times and could have done better to prevent the cross for Atalanta’s second goal. He won six duels and played two long balls.
Konstantinos Tsimikas – 6.5/10
Tsimikas played a decent game on the left flank as he passed the ball with 86% accuracy and won three duels.
Curtis Jones – 6.5/10
Jones played well with the ball and passed it with 92% accuracy, including one key pass and one long ball. However, he lacked a bit of sharpness off the ball, lacked defensive effort.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5/10
Mac Allister’s usual passing range failed to come forth today as he misfired slightly. However, he won five duels in midfield and also made one interception.
Wataru Endo – 6/10
Endo had a subpar game in midfield and was unable to make a positive impact on proceedings for Liverpool.
Harvey Elliott – 7/10
Elliott played well out wide as he passed the ball with 86% accuracy, including one key pass and three long balls. He also attempted one shot that hit the woodwork.
Darwin Nunez – 6.5/10
Nunez got into good shooting positions but managed to guide just one of his four attempts on target, with the other three going wide. He also won just one of his eight duels.
Cody Gakpo – 8.5/10
Gakpo was Liverpool’s best player on the pitch and looked to create something everytime he had the ball. He passed it with 84% accuracy, including five key passes and two crosses. He also won 11 duels and completed five dribbles past players.
Substitutes
Andrew Robertson – 7/10
Robertson replaced Tsimikas at half-time and made the desired impact for his team offensively. However, he was unable to do much to prevent the onslaught from Atalanta.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6/10
The Hungarian had a poor outing having come on at half-time.
Mohamed Salah – 7/10
He nearly brought Liverpool on terms but Atalanta were spared their blushes as an offside canceled the goal.
Luis Diaz – 7/10
Diaz came on at the hour mark and played three long balls. He also won two duels and attempted one shot on target.
Diogo Jota – 6.5/10
Jota replaced Endo in the 76th minute but failed to make an impact.
Can Liverpool Make A Comeback In The Second Leg?
Yes, anything is possible.
Nope, it’s too late.