The first leg was catastrophic for the Reds. At Anfield last week, Liverpool lost 3 goals to 0 against Atalanta, signing one of the club's biggest defeats in European competition. This debacle is also the first at home since February 21, 2023 against Real Madrid. This Thursday, Jürgen Klopp's players must achieve the impossible away from home, in a very complicated context.
Indeed, times are tough on all fronts for Liverpool. The club is engaged in 2 crucial but very complex battles: the Premier League and the Europa League. In the league, the Reds are currently 3rd in what looks like a historic race. With 2 points behind Manchester City, Liverpool could take a lead last weekend, but things turned out differently. Against Crystal Palace (14th), the team was unable to get the best of it despite good opportunities. Results, 1-0 defeat and additional tensions for Jürgen Klopp, who is living his last season on the bench of the English club.
This Thursday evening's match against Atalanta is crucial for Liverpool. Defensively, Virgil Van Dijk and his teammates will have to manage their number 1 flaw: marking, while up front, the offensive armada will have to respond. The result of the first leg at Anfield was surprising, and a good number of supporters believe that the “champion of England” objective takes precedence over the Europa League internally.
In Italy, Bergamo is confident for this return match. Despite the absence of young Italian defender Giorgio Scalvini (hamstring injury), coach Gian Piero Gasperini has a 3-goal lead, and will rely on the support of his supporters. At home at the Gewiss Stadium, Mario Pasalic, Matteo Ruggeri and Gianluca Scamacca have the challenge of maintaining their favorite status after a strong performance in the first leg.
Atalanta-Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp's possible last European match with the Reds, to be followed this Thursday at 9 p.m. on RMC Sport 1.