STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Thurs: Atalanta v Liverpool

Despite a dramatic FA Cup exit to the hands of Manchester United, Liverpool fans had plenty to shout about before the March International break, with the Premier League title and Europa League trophy both in their grasp.

However, another failure to win at a fragile Old Trafford has seemed to put the brakes on further silverware this season.

It didn’t stop there. Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour had further derailments when hosting Atalanta last Thursday, who travelled to Anfield in a fairly uninspiring sixth place in the Italian Serie A. Given Liverpool’s dominance across competitions and European heritage, the first leg provided the German manager with an opportunity to rest key players such as Mo Salah and Luiz Diaz, whilst easing big-name absentees back into the frame such as Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were fearless from the first minute, maintaining a high pressure throughout, creating opportunities and taking their chances either side of the break through clinical striker Gianluca Scamacca. Liverpool endured a humbling evening, losing 3-0; the Reds looked to be travelling to Bergamo with a mountain to climb, in need of all of Jurgen Klopp’s tactical prowess and spirit to advance into the next stage of Europe’s second biggest competition.

It went from bad to worse over the weekend, losing again at Anfield; this time at the hands of Crystal Palace.

On a positive note, European second-leg comebacks are in the Reds DNA and although hopes of making May’s Dublin showpiece are now in serious jeopardy, last week’s team sheet is likely to resemble a reserve eleven in comparison to the side Jurgen will field on Thursday night.

To give Atalanta credit, not only did they nullify the Kopp faithful, but they’ve been formidable against the bigger teams in Europe and domestic competitions this season with only top-of-the-league Inter Milan finding ease playing against them. They recorded the highest xG (3.2) by a visiting team at Anfield since Manchester City in February 2021.

Atalanta v Liverpool
Europa League Quarter Final
20.00 TNT Sports

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
APRIL 2024 EUROPA LEAGUE Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta
NOV 2020 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Liverpool 0-2 Atalanta
NOV 2020 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Atalanta 0-5 Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson all made their return from injury against Crystal Palace and will be in contention to start on Thursday. Giorgio Scalvini, a highly-touted young centre back, is the only absentee for Atalanta.

Liverpool will be out for blood after several disappointing results in a row, although a three goals deficit will be very difficult to overcome and even if they can mirror the result in the first leg, that will only be good enough to force extra-time. With all of his forwards fully fit, Jurgen Klopp will have tough decisions to make. Regardless of who lines up across the front three, Liverpool must be more clinical on Thursday.

The stats don’t favour the Reds as there have been 132 previous instances of the away side winning the first leg of a two-legged UEFA Cup/Europa League tie by three or more goals. None of those leads were overturned. Gianluca Scamacca is currently on the longest ever scoring run by an Atalanta player in Europe, hitting the back of the net in his last four Europa League appearances.

VERDICT
It’s make or break for Liverpool if they are to lift more silverware this season but with added dissatisfaction from their weekend loss, I can see goals from this fired-up red side.

RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Liverpool Half-Time Full-Time at 6/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Liverpool to win to nil at 14/5 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Diogo Jota Player To Score Anytime at 13/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)