It is time to see how Liverpool performed against Atalanta in their Champions League game. We have the player ratings.
Liverpool was hoping to qualify to the knockout stage and it required them to beat Atalanta in this Champions League fixture. Jurgen Klopp’s side had the home advantage, however, without any fans, the Italian side looked to make their move at Anfield. With three consecutive wins in the European tournament for the Reds, they were eager to get the three points.
But the Merseyside club has been going through a defensive apocalypse since last month. Klopp has seen key stars from his roster go to the treatment table, and this was the concern coming into this fixture. On the other hand, Atalanta hoped to retaliate from their previous heavy loss to Liverpool on the home soil. It was clearly a test for the German head coach, as the majority of his defensive unit was absent. However, the Premier League side managed to hold Gian Piero Gasperini’s side for the first 45 minutes, and the second half was left for all the action.
Defenseless Liverpool stunned by Ilicic and Gosens.
It was a nightmare for the local boys, in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold who are out injured. With the backing of the Argentina international Papu Gomez, Atalanta was trying to harass the new Reds defense line. On the one-hour mark, Gomez curled in a dangerous cross which was met by the sliding Josip Ilicic who put it past Alisson. And four minutes later, the well-constructed Atalanta team punished Liverpool for the second time.
Yet again, Gomez was a key man in the second goal as he sent a ball in the penalty box. Hans Hateboer met the Argentinian’s long ball with a header only to see Robin Gosens fire a volley in the Reds net. Klopp was hoping to recover from the embarrassment as he made four substitutions to bring back the game. However, the likes of Andy Robertson, Roberto Firmino, and Diogo Jota could not stop the visitors from snatching the victory. Liverpool will hope to win their next encounter with Ajax, whereas Atalanta will face Midtjylland at home.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (4), Matip (5), R. Williams (6), N. Williams (4), Tsimikas (5), Wijnaldum (6), Jones (7), Milner (5), Salah (3), Mane (4), Origi (5).
Bench: Minamino (6), Robertson (7), Jota (6), Firmino (6), Fabinho (6).
Atalanta: Gollini (6), Toloi (8), Romero (8), Djimsiti (8), De Roon (4), Freuler (6), Hateboer (7), Gosens (8), Pessina (4), Ilicic (9), Gomez (5).
Bench: Mojica (7), Miranchuk (6), Zapata (4).
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