Liverpool’s hopes of European glory have been left in tatters on Thursday night after Atalanta stormed to a lovely 3-0 victory in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Anfield.
The Reds have been possibly lucky to go in at the wreck simply a purpose down, with Atalanta smothering Jurgen Klopp’s side with their high press and man-marking, developing the clearer chances in the opening 45.
Klopp made a triple exchange at the spoil – and it didn’t have the preferred result at all. In fact, Atalanta went two desires up 15 minutes later when a totally unmarked Scamacca lightly transformed any other move from the right with a volley.
Things then went from terrible to worse when Pasalic pounced to score a tap-in after Kelleher fumbled Ederson’s effort into his course in the 83rd minuteIt was a night time when nothing went to design for the Reds, a night when they wanted their fans’ support. And yet, there used to be a extraordinary environment inside Anfield on the night.
As referred to by using Liverpool Echo’s journalist Ian Doyle, even Klopp’s strive to galvanise the crowd at 0-2 fell flat, with only a handful responding to his pleas for elevated quantity from the Main Stand.
The journalist posted on X: “Klopp turns to the Main Stand and urges them to increase the volume. About four humans respond. Lots of disinterested #LFC fans this night