On Thursday night, Liverpool were handed a shock defeat by Atalanta at Anfield after being outclassed both in terms of tactics and quality. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side secured a massive 3-0 first-leg win, against the odds.
Going into the game, Atalanta had only won two of their last nine games in all competitions and were somewhat languishing in 6th place in the Serie A table. Struggling to put up a fight for the top four spots.
Liverpool meanwhile, were in such good form that Jurgen Klopp decided to make some changes to his side. The likes of Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo and Konstantinos Tsimikas were all given a start.
But it affected Liverpool. In truth, Atalanta could have scored five or six and while Liverpool had chances, Atalanta’s defence were excellent. What won the game was tactics, and Atalanta’s incredible pressing.
Gianluca Scamacca got a brace, while Mario Pasalic tapped in a third after Scamacca came close to a hat-trick. It leaves The Reds facing a huge task when they go to Bergamo next Thursday, in the second leg.
Speaking after the 3-0 win at Liverpool, one of Atalanta’s best-ever European results, the experienced Gasperini discussed if they could win, as per TMW. He recalled the Champions League final in Istanbul.
“We know Liverpool are extraordinary, they can score goals in a short time. The skill will be in defending and responding blow for blow. Always attack you with many, if they score, the matches are very open.
“I remember a Champions League final against Milan, from 3-0 to 3-3, it seemed like there was an abyss between the two. This is their spirit, we are happy but we will have to know how to repeat ourselves.”
Atalanta’s home record this season is bad news for Liverpool
Gasperini’s men have played 20 times at home this season. They have clocked up an impressive 14 wins and only four losses in Bergamo, beating the likes of AC Milan, Lazio and Sporting Lisbon. Very strong.
Indeed, Atalanta knocked Ruben Amorim’s Sporting out in the previous round. In 10 of those 20 home games, Atalanta have kept clean sheets – conceding only 13 goals. They haven’t conceded three, yet.
So, the chances of Liverpool going to Bergamo next week and scoring three without reply seems incredibly unlikely. But this is Liverpool in Europe. Comebacks are a forte. Perhaps, a last hurrah for Klopp.
