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Jurgen Klopp will not get the chance to finish his Liverpool career with a European trophy next month following elimination from the Europa League at the quarter-final stage.
Liverpool managed to beat Atalanta in Bergamo on Thursday night, but a 3-0 aggregate deficit coming into the second leg meant that a solitary Mohamed Salah penalty was not enough to change things or mount a 2019-esque comeback as had so famously happened against Barcelona.
Ultimately, it was a bit of a damp end for Liverpool’s European campaign, threatening to do more than just ‘blow the bloody doors off’ to begin with, but eventually accepting their fate a little too readily. Of course, Atalanta deserve immense credit for their first leg victory and the nature of their second leg performance, shutting down a Liverpool side who have started to limp towards the season’s finale.
LIVERPOOL HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE BY ATALANTA. pic.twitter.com/rUGkfPiK18
— 90min (@90min_Football) April 18, 2024
As things kicked off, the band was at least back together after an injury hit few months.
This is the first time in 243 days that Alisson, Trent, Van Dijk, Konate and Robertson started together in defence.
— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) April 18, 2024
But, before any of the action really started, Virgil van Dijk dislocated a finger in the earliest minutes.
How is Van Dijk chill about dislocating his finger omfg
— Eleanor (@Eleanor_574) April 18, 2024
To the letter of the law…penalty.
Trent crosses the ball into Ruggeri’s arm as he pulls it back, from 2 metres away…
That’s a penalty by 2024 handball rules.
But I hate 2024 handball rules.
— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) April 18, 2024
Salah made no mistake from 12 yards when Liverpool were awarded their penalty.
Ice in those veins!
Mo Salah gives Liverpool the lead early on from the spot…
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK #UEL pic.twitter.com/owbbBmY8TT
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
Racking them up…
Mo Salah’s 47th goal in Europe for #LFC. pic.twitter.com/DNZgWnndUC
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) April 18, 2024
But Atalanta grew into the game and punished Liverpool sloppiness on the ball. Curtis Jones in particular came in for heat from disgruntled fans.
Curtis Jones get caught on the ball way too much !!!!!
Proper annoying !
— Just Kev (@KevNGxx) April 18, 2024
Curtis Jones is not getting any joy in the midfield today
Been absolutely awful so far.
— Singh_LFC (@thedoublepiv0ts) April 18, 2024
Salah missed a great chance to double Liverpool’s lead on the night and further cut into the overall deficit. But it bounced miles wide after a poor contact with the ball.
It’s rare that you see Mo Salah shot for confidence, if ever, but that’s the case right now.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) April 18, 2024
Salah REALLY needs to get going second half. Aside from that missed chance his general play has been sub par. Loose passes, slow on the turn and so far he’s the that’s not rotating positions as smoothly
— Nubaid Haroon (@RamboFYI) April 18, 2024
That Salah miss sums up our season basically.
— Anfield Leak (@AnfieldLeak) April 18, 2024
Things were petering out for Liverpool when Klopp turned to the bench for something different.
Get Jota and Nunez on right now for Gakpo and Salah. I’ve seen enough.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) April 18, 2024
Why is Klopp waiting to make substitutes? You can see that nothing is happening. This front three don’t want to score. Get Nunez and Jota on right now, ffs.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) April 18, 2024
I need Darwin Nunez to be a grown up here.
— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) April 18, 2024
With time ticking away and Liverpool still needing two goals just to force extra-time, fans were resigned to their fate.
Klopp resting his players so we can make sure we secure a top 4 finish.
— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) April 18, 2024
How Klopp felt when he subbed on Gomez for Trent pic.twitter.com/KTDTXfjWBu
— Scout (@LFCScout_) April 18, 2024
This is the final European game of the Klopp era.
What a sad way to go out.
— Laurie (@LFCLaurie) April 18, 2024
Jayden Danns made his senior European debut late on.
Jayden Danns coming on, no doubt he will put more effort in 10 minutes than most tonight.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) April 18, 2024
In the end, Liverpool just didn’t play their usual game.
To say the second half was underwhelming would be an understatement. Liverpool go out of Europe after a tepid showing against Atalanta.
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) April 18, 2024
Our style of play is based purely on high intensity, players pushing up and closing spaces/players. So when we are not at 100% tempo we have no alternative style to turn to. Atalanta pressed us like we pressed Barcelona in 2019 and we couldn’t cope.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) April 18, 2024
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