Liverpool’s hopes of giving Jurgen Klopp a dream send-off in the Europa League final in Dublin next month are hanging by a thread. The Reds suffered a shocking 3-0 home defeat by Atalanta in the quarter-final first leg, making it unlikely for them to extend the season to May 22nd, when the final takes place. Klopp, who has led Liverpool to three Champions League finals, looked bewildered at the final whistle and applauded fans as he disappeared down the tunnel. This defeat also marked Liverpool’s first home loss since February 2023, ending their 33-game unbeaten run.
Liverpool’s performance against Atalanta was filled with mistakes and poor marking, resulting in their joint-heaviest defeat at home in major European competition. Atalanta, sitting sixth in Serie A, took full advantage of Liverpool’s weaknesses and will be strong favorites to progress to the semi-finals when they meet for the second leg in Italy. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock described it as the worst performance he has ever seen from Liverpool under Klopp, highlighting their wastefulness in possession and numerous mistakes on the pitch.
Klopp offered no excuses for the poor performance and hoped it was just a blip rather than a more worrying trend. Liverpool currently sits second in the Premier League table, level on points with leaders Arsenal. However, they have little time to recover from this setback, with a game against Crystal Palace on Sunday followed by their second leg against Atalanta and three successive away Premier League games.
Warnock also commented on Liverpool’s tiredness, pointing out that they have played 56 games this season. He believes that their tired minds and bodies were evident in their performance against Atalanta. Former Reds winger Steve McManaman stated that the “wheels had come off” and criticized Liverpool’s defending during the match.
Despite the difficult situation, Liverpool has a history of turning around first-leg deficits in European competitions, and Klopp and his players still believe they can rescue the situation. Captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the importance of not overreacting and maintaining belief. Former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch acknowledged the challenge they face in Bergamo but didn’t rule out Liverpool’s ability to turn it around.
As Liverpool prepares for their upcoming matches, they will need to regroup, address their mistakes, and find a way to bounce back. The next few weeks will be crucial for Klopp and his players as they aim to salvage their Europa League ambitions and maintain their position in the Premier League.