“Time TV”
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Atalanta, at present sixth in Serie A, might have scored extra at Anfield had it not been for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Given Liverpool’s formidable type within the English Premier League – Klopp’s males are second with simply objective distinction separating them from desk topping Arsenal – only a few would have seen this end result coming, and it leaves Liverpool with a mountain to climb within the second leg on April 18 if the Reds are to progress to the semifinals.
“We are able to make the shortest press convention of all time, it simply was a extremely dangerous sport, oh my God,” Klopp instructed reporters after what might have been his final European evening at Anfield.
“I feel even earlier than they scored we simply misplaced the plot somewhat bit, like we have been all over the place and nowhere.”
The sport had began at a frantic tempo with either side having alternatives to attain.
Atalanta got here closest, denied within the third minute by a shocking save from Kelleher. The Irishman rushed off his line with Mario Pašalić seemingly sure to attain, blocking the shot along with his face.
Liverpool then began rising into the sport and missed various possibilities to attain, Darwin Núñez getting his end all incorrect earlier than Harvey Elliot hit the woodwork within the twenty sixth minute.
However Atalanta broke the impasse within the thirty eighth minute when Gianluca Scamacca’s effort discovered a well past Kelleher.
The goalkeeper in all probability ought to have achieved higher, however he rapidly redeemed himself with one other sensible save in opposition to Teun Koopmeiners to cease Liverpool going 2-0 down moments earlier than half time.
Seeking an equalizer, Klopp launched Mohamed Salah after the break and the Egyptian virtually made an on the spot affect. His high quality effort, although, was effectively saved by Juan Musso as Atalanta’s defence stood agency.
The additional attacking impetus from Liverpool appeared to play into Atalanta’s palms and Scamacca doubled his crew’s lead on the hour mark after being left unmarked on the again put up.
The objective sparked panic at Anfield as Liverpool went looking for a objective to assist cut back the deficit. Salah thought he had achieved so within the 79th minute however the ahead was flagged for offside.
The distress was solely compounded as extra defensive fragility from the host afforded Atalanta an opportunity to attain its third – this time it was Pašalić who turned within the rebound after one other sensible save from Kelleher.
Atalanta gamers celebrated its well-known Anfield win following the ultimate whistle, however there may be nonetheless one other 90 minutes to play in Italy subsequent week.
Liverpool does have a historical past of comebacks in Europe – not least when it turned over a 3-0 end result in opposition to Barcelona within the Champions League semifinal in 2019.
Klopp, although, didn’t need to speculate on the return leg, focusing as a substitute on Liverpool’s subsequent Premier League fixture, in opposition to Crystal Palace, on the weekend.
“We attempt to win the sport there after which we are going to see what we will do from there, however it’s no longer the second for having a giant mouth,” he mentioned.
“This was in all probability a low level for us performance-wise, I might say, for a very long time, so I feel it ought to be attainable to play somewhat bit higher. If we will play somewhat bit higher then we will play significantly better as effectively.”
After Klopp introduced his resolution to step down as Liverpool supervisor on the finish of the season, many concerned with the membership had hoped to ship him off with one other European trophy.
Followers had earmarked the Europa League remaining in Dublin, Eire, as Klopp’s potential final sport in cost, however these plans now appear in jeopardy.
