LIVERPOOL crashed to Champions League defeat at Anfield as Atalanta took revenge for their 5-0 mauling in Italy.
- Final score: Liverpool 0-2 Atalanta
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THAT’S ALL FROM ANFIELD
Three weeks after being thumped 5-0 at home, Atalanta shocked Liverpool with a memorable 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
It was an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance from Jurgen Klopp’s team, who failed to register a single shot on target at home in the Champions League for the first time since records began in 2003.
The Liverpool boss made several changes to his team in the midst of a packed fixture schedule, but it failed to bring renewed energy to the Reds.
On the day that the football world lost its greatest talent – Diego Maradona – Atalanta’s own Argentine number ten put in a performance worthy of tribute.
Alejandro Gomez created both goals for his side; the first converted by Josip Ilicic, the second swept in by Robin Gosens following Hans Hateboer’s knock down.
The result opens up Group D with two games remaining. Liverpool still lead the way, but both Ajax and Atalanta are hot on their heels.
One more win will see Liverpool progress, but they will need to play much better than this to get it.
Goodnight.
KLOPP THAT
Hot off the press, Joe Miles has filed his match report following Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League.
KLOPP FRUSTRATED BY FIXTURE CONGESTION
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been discussing his side’s lacklustre performance this evening, and how the busy schedule of fixtures is causing injuries and exhaustion within his squad.
“It was not a good game, most of the time from both teams. Neither team created a lot until they scored their goals.
“It’s a deserved defeat in a difficult game.
“The ref brought a lot of tempo in the game, he didn’t whistle a lot and that makes it even more difficult in a period like this.
“He just let the game run and it was an unbelievable tempo for the boys. You need breaks in the game and it didn’t happen.
“We had moments but no real chances. I’m not surprised [at having no shots on target] and that makes it difficult to win games.
“I think it could happen again, not only to us but other teams as well. [The TV broadcasters] ask us to now go and play at 12.30pm on Saturday and that is nearly a crime, to be honest.
“My only interest at the moment is that I got thumbs up and nobody is injured. The boys are disappointed but we don’t have time for it.”
LITTLE AND LARGE
Atalanta’s number ten and captain, Alejandro Gomez, was the best player on this pitch tonight, and was a key figure in creating both goals for the Italians.
Here he is celebrating with Josip Ilicic after putting a cross on a plate for the big Slovenian.
REDS FIRE BLANKS
Liverpool managed just four attempts on goal this evening (only one from an attacker) and failed to register a single one on target.
MILNER DISAPPOINTED BY DEFEAT
Liverpool’s James Milner has spoken to the press after tonight’s 2-0 loss and admitted that his side failed to match Atalanta.
“We know it was a poor performance. It was pretty flat and there were a lot of changes. We just never got going and it’s disappointing.
“The schedule is busy and sometimes you have to try to get the win without being at your best and having the left you’d like. We didn’t do that tonight.
“We didn’t create enough, we didn’t keep the ball enough and we just didn’t have the sharpness.”
GASPERINI ALL SMILES
Atalanta Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is unable to hide his delight at the final whistle after his team pulled off a famous win.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
The provincial Serie A club are delighted by the historic outcome of tonight’s match at Anfield.
REDS STILL D-TERMINED
Elsewhere in Group D this evening, Ajax defeated Midtjylland 3-1 to open up the table. Defeat to Ajax on Matchday 5 could see Liverpool drop out of the top two, but providing they at least win in Denmark in the final game, Jurgen Klopp’s men will progress to the next round.
FT: LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
A disappointing night for Liverpool as Atalanta run out deserved winners at Anfield, just three weeks after the English side had won 5-0 the reverse fixture. Quickfire goals in the second half from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens delays Liverpool’s qualification from Group D, and, in fact, leaves it finely poised for the final two games.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
90+2. Jota gives the ball away with Liverpool players having packed the penalty area. That sums up the home side’s night.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
90. The clock strikes 90 minutes at Anfield and Liverpool are no closer to finding a goal.
There will be just two minutes of stoppage time left for the home side to…well, do anything.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
88. The visitors eat up a few more seconds.
Substitute Mojica dribbles down the left wing and then lays a pass back for Djimsiti, who draws a free-kick from a tired Liverpool challenge.
The Albanian defender earns the nearby applause of Mojica.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
86. Inside the final five minutes and this game looks up for Liverpool.
Milner is still working his socks off in midfield, but – if anything – Atalanta look more likely to add a third on the counter attack.
Perhaps the home side already have their minds on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
85. A substitution apiece. Takumi Minamino is the last man on for Liverpool, replacing Joel Matip.
For Atalanta, on comes Aleksei Miranchuk for Matteo Pessina.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
83. By the way, Liverpool are still yet to register an attempt on target in this game.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
82. At the other end, Zapata works himself a half chance by holding up play just inside the area.
The sub manages to half-turn his man, but topples off balance and sends his shot high and wide.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
80. A typical Robertson cross is met by a superb defensive header from Romero that hits Firmino and rolls out for a goalkick.
The 22-year-old Argentine defender, currently on a two-year loan from Juventus, has been very impressive tonight.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
78. A rare touch for Sadio Mane – but he’s quickly dispossessed.
Somehow, the Senegalese forward has been even less effective in the second half than he was in the first.
IN IT GOES FOR ILICIC
Josip Ilicic steers Atalanta into the lead at Anfield.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
74. Another substitution for Atalanta, another Colombian introduction.
Johan Mojica, on a season loan from Girona, is on for the other goalscorer, Robin Gosens.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
72. This is the first time Liverpool have fallen two goals behind in a Champions League since October 2014 when they lost 3-0 to Read Madrid.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
70. Rhys Williams gets his head on a deep free-kick sent into the box, but a defensive intervention diverts the ball back towards Gollini.
Meanwhile, Duvan Zapata is on for scorer of the game’s first goal, Josip Ilicic.
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ATALANTA
69. The corner is eventually dealt with, as is a free-kick from Milner a minute later.
There’s certainly time available for the hosts if they can find a goal soon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
