Liverpool’s Europa League journey hit a stumbling block as they faced a daunting challenge following a surprising 0 – 3 home defeat to Atalanta in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Anfield
Gianluca Scamacca, formerly of West Ham, showcased his prowess with goals in both halves, while Mario Pasalic, once a Chelsea player, sealed the victory with a late third goal. This unexpected turn of events makes Atalanta the strong favorites as they head into the return leg in Bergamo next Thursday.
The match saw moments of frustration for Liverpool, with missed opportunities from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, whose attempt rattled the bar before hitting the post. Mohamed Salah, initially on the bench, injected some threat with a disallowed goal and a saved attempt. However, Liverpool’s overall performance lacked spark and urgency, leaving them vulnerable at the back, which Atalanta capitalized on ruthlessly.
Scamacca, having had a brief stint at West Ham, capitalized on defensive lapses to extend Atalanta’s lead, while Pasalic’s late strike compounded Liverpool’s woes. With the tie hanging in the balance, the winner will advance to face either Benfica or Marseille in the semi-finals, with Benfica holding a slim advantage after the first leg. Liverpool now faces an uphill battle to salvage their Europa League campaign and keep their hopes of European glory alive.
