Liverpool eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta

• Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo could not save them from elimination from the Europa League.
• The match ended in a 3-1 aggregate score, with all of the damage occurring in the first leg.
• Mohamed Salah’s early penalty gave them the advantage but they were unable to score more goals and were eliminated.

Liverpool‘s 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo could not save them from elimination from the Europa League; the match ended in a 3-1 aggregate score, with all of the damage occurring in the first leg.

Due to the horrific 3-0 loss at Anfield last week, Jurgen Klopp’s team was already close to losing. Although Mohamed Salah’s early penalty gave them the advantage, they were unable to penetrate the opposition and were eliminated with a whimper.

Because of this, Klopp has led Liverpool in European play for the final time, barring a dramatic turnaround, although the German may still walk away with two domestic trophies around his neck.

Virgil Van Dijk after elimination from the Europa League. Photo/ SkySports

The EFL Cup winners will only compete for Premier League championships from now until the end of the season. They will resume their pursuit of elite status on Sunday when they go to Fulham, needing two points to catch up to leaders Manchester City.

After 36 years without making it to the last four, Atalanta celebrated their arrival in the European semi-final for the first time since the 1987–88 campaign. They will now play Marseille to earn a spot against Bayer Leverkusen or Roma in the championship game in Dublin.

Three players were added back to the starting lineup after the weekend’s loss to Crystal Palace: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Cody Gakpo. These players were given the responsibility of leading another historic comeback in Europe.

After only seven minutes of play, the latter was back to his usual helpful self, although in an unusual fashion, as his cross found the extended arm of Matteo Ruggeri in the Atalanta box.

Salah, the all-time top scorer in Europe for Liverpool, took the penalty and scored emphatically. He then quickly returned the ball to the center circle as an enthusiastic Liverpool started their comeback attempt.

If Alisson Becker hadn’t pulled Virgil van Dijk’s sliced clearance out of danger in the 14th minute after the Dutchman made a mess of Teun Koopmeiners’s cross, Klopp’s team would have gone back to square one. Nevertheless, the offside flag was raised shortly after.

The unrelenting Liverpool pressure persisted, but in the 39th minute, after Gakpo’s deft pass over the top, Salah was unable to repeat his perfect style from the spot, spooning a lob over Juan Musso’s head but wide of the post.

After only two minutes, Koopmeiners had the ball in the net, but the offside call ended Atalanta’s jubilation, and Liverpool, with a slim advantage, still had the steepest of hills to climb in the second half.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s team created a few chances in the last third early in the second half, but Alisson Becker was only forced into easy saves by Koopmeiners and Ederson, as a cutting edge continued to escape Klopp’s team.

But as the minutes ticked by, the Reds’ prospects of mounting a massive comeback dwindled. Just before the hour, Klopp took the audacious decision to substitute Salah as part of a triple change, bringing in Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, and Darwin Nunez as Atalanta upped the ante.

Following their intense 45-minute outburst, Klopp’s team appeared fatigued as the game neared its conclusion. Not only did La Dea easily quell their futile efforts, but they also had to shoulder a good amount of the defending duties.

In a last-ditch effort, 18-year-old striker Jayden Danns was substituted on for the final ten minutes of play. With his appearance, Liverpool may potentially find fresh life, and Gasperini could afford to smile broadly only one minute before the referee’s whistle confirmed the Reds’ destiny.

A fireworks display illuminated the Gewiss Stadium as Atalanta embraces spilled onto the pitch at full time, but Klopp’s crop managed just 0.11 Expected Goals (xG) from two efforts in the second half.

Klopp promises to put all effort in the Premier League

Jurgen Klopp.Photo/CNN

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told reporters, “It was evident we set ourselves a huge challenge. I really appreciated tonight’s game because of the lads’ passion and strength. It was fantastic of them.

“It is mixed emotions. We are out but I am happy with the game. We would have wished that we could have gone to Dublin but that hasn’t happened. We now have one competition left and we will throw ourselves into that completely.”