When Atalanta travels to Anfield on Thursday to play Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal match, they have an enormous task ahead of them. The last time the sides performed together on the European front was nearly four years ago
In 2020–21, Liverpool and Atalanta shared a Champions League group. Following a crushing 5-0 loss in the Gewiss Stadium, La Dea returned the favor on Merseyside, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Robin Gosens and Josip Ilicic in the second half.
Since they have since gone on a fire in home European matches, it’s possible that Liverpool’s memories of that defeat have stuck with them. Since then, Jurgen Klopp’s team has triumphed in 12 of its 16 European matches at Anfield (D2, L2), most recently crushing Sparta Praha 6-1 in the final Europa League knockout phase.
In the round of 16, Klopp’s merciless team defeated Sparta 11-2 to record their best European aggregate victory in almost 40 years. They will be confident in their ability to defeat Atalanta. But Gian Piero Gasperini’s team proved they are no vacationers in the last 16 when they defeated Sporting CP 3-2 on aggregate.
In the round of 16, Klopp’s merciless team defeated Sparta 11-2 to record their best European aggregate victory in almost 40 years. They will be confident in their ability to defeat Atalanta. But Gian Piero Gasperini’s team proved they are no vacationers in the last 16 when they defeated Sporting CP 3-2 on aggregate.
Unfortunately, in the lead-up to this trip, Atalanta’s performance has declined. La Dea blew a close lead in a Serie A loss at Cagliari over the weekend, after a 1-0 loss at Fiorentina in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final match.
Pregame Analysis of Liverpool
It is Klopp’s responsibility to reorganize his priorities in his final season at Liverpool. The German might be forgiven for giving up his hopes of playing in Europe to support the Merseyside giants’ title challenge in the most competitive division in the world, as the Reds are still firmly entrenched in a three-way contest for the Premier League championship.
Liverpool is a different animal at Anfield than Manchester United, even though a goal-glutted 2-2 draw there on Sunday put a spanner in the works. They have won 21 (D3) of the 24 competitive home games they have played in 2023–24, including four victories on the continental front by multiple goal margins. In those four wins, the Reds scored 4.25 goals per game on a frightening average.
Atlanta
Teun Koopmeiners, who was added to Liverpool’s shortlist for the next transfer window, might view this match as an audition. To maintain their incredible Europa League record of just three losses from 28 games (W16, D9)—all of which occurred during Gasperini’s reign—Atalanta will need their talisman midfielder to be at the top of his game.
This season, Atalanta has been especially strong. They advanced unharmed from the group stages (W4, D2) and then managed to overcome Sporting in the round of 16. The Italians have only lost two of their previous 17 away games in Europe, which is equally amazing (W8, D7). These are all signs that La Dea will not give up easily.
Group News
Given Liverpool’s extensive injury list, Atalanta ought to have a chance. Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota, and Thiago Alcantara are just a few of the players Klopp cannot rely on. However, La Dea will still have to contend with the Reds’ incredible offensive force, which is led by Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
However, Giorgio Scalvini’s hamstring issue keeps him out of the running for this match. However, the rest of Atlanta’s team is prepared for this journey. After recovering from an adductor injury, Charles De Ketelaere is back, though he probably won’t play right away. Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman will most likely lead the line.
Possible lineups for Liverpool vs. Atalanta
Liverpool (4-3-3): Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Teun Koopmeiners; Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca; Davide Zappacosta, Ederson, Marten De Roon, Matteo Ruggeri; Juan Musso; Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, and Sead Kolasinac.
Juventus versus Atalanta Forecast
With just one of Liverpool’s 17 home matches against Italian teams ending in a draw (W10, L6), Atalanta’s chances of securing a draw appear to be gone. The Italians’ prospects of pulling off an upset would rise if a disaster in England were avoided.
However, we think Liverpool will win this match by a large margin, even though Atalanta will most likely score some goals.
