Liverpool Set to Face Atalanta in Europa League Quarter-Finals
Liverpool’s journey in the Europa League continues as they are set to face Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the competition. The Reds secured their place in the quarter-finals after a convincing 11-2 aggregate win over Sparta Prague in the last 16. Now, they will be facing Italian opposition in their quest to go further in the tournament.
The first leg of the quarter-finals will be played at Anfield, with Liverpool hosting Atalanta on April 11. A week later, on April 18, the decisive second leg will take place at the Gewiss Stadium. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since their encounter in the Champions League group stage in the 2020/21 season. Liverpool emerged victorious with a 5-0 win in Bergamo but suffered a 2-0 defeat at Anfield.
The winner of Liverpool’s tie against Atalanta will face either Benfica or Marseille in the semi-finals. It promises to be an exciting clash as Liverpool aims to secure a spot in the final stages of the Europa League.
In terms of scheduling, Liverpool’s quarter-final matches come after a league fixture against Manchester United on April 7. The first leg against Atalanta will be sandwiched between a home game against Crystal Palace on April 14 and an away trip to Fulham on April 21. However, if Liverpool manages to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, their visit to Fulham may be replaced by an FA Cup semi-final.
If Liverpool reaches the semi-finals, they will play their matches on May 2 and May 9. The final of the Europa League is scheduled to take place on May 22. It will be an intense period for Liverpool as they aim to compete on multiple fronts and potentially secure a European trophy under Jurgen Klopp.
Looking back at Liverpool’s previous achievements in the Europa League, their most recent successful campaign was in the 2015/16 season. Klopp’s first season in charge saw the Reds reach the quarter-finals and beyond. They defeated Augsburg and Manchester United in the knockout rounds before facing Klopp’s former side, Borussia Dortmund, in the quarter-finals. In a thrilling encounter, Liverpool emerged as winners with a 5-4 aggregate score. They went on to overcome Villarreal in the semi-finals but fell short in the final against Sevilla, losing 3-1.
The Europa League remains the only trophy that Liverpool is yet to win under Klopp. With their current form and squad strength, they will be determined to go all the way this season and lift the trophy that has eluded them so far.
As the Europa League quarter-finals approach, football fans around the world eagerly await the clashes between Liverpool and Atalanta, as well as the other exciting ties in the competition. The stage is set for intense battles, memorable moments, and potentially historic achievements. Let the games begin!