Source:Telegraph
10:27PM Jurgen Klopp speaking to TNT "It didn't go our way but I liked the way we played"
Jurgen Klopp gives his assessment on Liverpool's #UEL quarter-final second leg with Atalanta...
@DannyJamieson | #UEL pic.twitter.com/QMsySlZhnH
- Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024 10:27PM Still going in France Atalanta are still awaiting who they will play in the semi-finals. Marseille and Benfica are still level 2-2 on aggregate and there just five minutes remaining of extra time in France.
10:19PM Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live Liverpool created enough opportunities in the first half and if they had taken one more it would have changed how Atalanta approached the second half.
But Liverpool were poor in the second half and Atalanta were aggressive in their press. The second half was a reflection of what we saw at Anfield.
They had energy and desire to go get the ball, ultimately they did what they had to do on the night - frustrate Liverpool.
10:15PM Virgil van Dijk speaking to TNT10:14PM Atalanta celebrate progression through to the semi-finals"Much better than last week but it wasn't enough"
Virgil van Dijk reflects on being knocked out of the #UEL by Atalanta with @DannyJamieson... pic.twitter.com/1L1MC5jFz8 - Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
Atalanta celebrate beating Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals Credit: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters
Atalanta are into the semi-finals Credit: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters
Atalanta will play either Benfica or Marseille in the semi-finals Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters 10:08PM Your reaction Bertie Barking: Well played Atalanta. Liverpool will need to move some players on and make a couple of good signings. That's football. Ian Raw: Well that was about the poorest, least imaginative, least aggressive Liverpool I have seen in a long time. Looked like Scottish long ball football at times. Well done Atalanta - you had us under control at all times. J Baucher: Many congratulations Atalanta. I hope they go on to win the competition. We are carrying too many. Curtis Jones should be nowhere near a Liverpool team. He is awful. Peter Jarman: Liverpool have forgotten that you go forward and aim at the goal not spend the game passing back and the goalkeeper getting more touches than the forwards. John Spencer: Hate to say it but this is end of the Klopp era, it was fun while it lasted but we have no game plan, I think Klopp realises that and is getting out. 10:03PM Four English clubs out this week Four out of five English teams have exited Europe this week pic.twitter.com/BC8Gg3MuU1
- Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024 10:02PM Semi-finals Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and Roma have booked their places in the semi-finals. Marseille and Benfica have gone to extra time. Here is what the semi-final line-ups look like:
Atalanta vs Marseille or Benfica
Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma
9:58PM Around the grounds Atalanta have beaten Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate. Meanwhile at the London Stadium West Ham are out after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Bayer Leverkusen after a 1-1 draw on the night. Roma are through after beating AC Milan 3-1 on aggregate. Marseille and Benfica are going to extra time as it is 2-2 on aggregate.
9:54PM Full time There is the full-time whistle and Atalanta have knocked out Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's men win 1-0 on the night but Atalanta win 3-1 on aggregate. The damage was done last week at Anfield.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! #AtalantaLiverpool #UEL #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/H5NSutBbI4 - Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) April 18, 2024
Liverpool are out of the #UEL!
They win 1-0 on the night but Atalanta take the tie 3-1 overall! pic.twitter.com/O4aHkMdWcg
- Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024 9:52PM 90+2 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Mac Allister sends in the free-kick and, with his back to goal, Nunez flicks it goalwards but it is a simple save for Musso.
9:51PM 90+1 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Zappacosta is booked for a blatant, constant pull on Jota as the Liverpool forward drove forward.
9:50PM 90 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) There will be three minutes of added time.
9:48PM 88 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) By the way Liverpool are playing it around the back you would think they were ahead in the tie.
9:46PM 86 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Elliott sends in a cross from the right, which is deflected and Musso takes an easy catch.
9:44PM 85 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) It is all too slow at the moment from Liverpool. They need to speed up play. They have just five minutes plus added time left to find two goals.
9:39PM 79 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) One final change for Jurgen Klopp as he brings on Jayden Danns for Robertson.
Atalanta are making a change as Lookman replaces Miranchuk.
Just over 10 minutes of normal time left.
9:37PM 77 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) That is a nasty challenge from Koopmeiners on Mac Allister and rightly so the Atalanta midfielder is booked.
9:34PM 74 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Atalanta are making their first two changes of the night as De Ketelaere and Pasalic come on for Scamacca and Ederson.
9:32PM 72 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Liverpool are making their fourth change as Gomez replaces Alexander-Arnold.
It is just not quite clicking for Liverpool at the moment and time is running away from them.
9:30PM 70 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) 20 minutes to in Bergamo and Liverpool still trail by two goals on aggregate.
9:28PM 68 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Zappacosta pulls it back to Scamacca on the edge of the box but his first-time effort is blazed over the bar.
9:26PM 66 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Here comes a triple change for Liverpool. Jota, Nunez and Elliott come on for Diaz, Salah and Szoboszlai.
Jurgen Klopp (far left) makes a triple change just past the hour mark Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters 9:26PM 65 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Atalanta waste a good chance. Miranchuk had an easy pass to Koopmeiners on the left-hand side of the box but the pass is over-hit.
9:25PM 64 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Liverpool need to make a few changes here and they are coming. Jota about to come on.
9:21PM 60 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Koopmeiners, on the turn, shoots from the edge of the box but it is a fairly simple save for Alisson.
9:18PM 58 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Alexander-Arnold finds van Dijk at the back post but the header is straight into the hands of Musso. Not enough power on the header.
9:18PM 57 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Liverpool have a free-kick in a good position after Kolasinac fouls Szoboszlai. The free-kick is fairly central, around 35 yards out...
9:17PM 56 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Alexander-Arnold lifts a delightful ball over the top to Gakpo. He cannot quickly get it under control, but he finds Szoboszlai in the box. He plays it back to Gakpo, who flicks it Salah. The Egyptian's effort is saved but the offside flag was up as Salah was clearly offside. In the initial phase had Gakpo got that under control he would have had a simple one-on-one.
9:12PM 52 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Liverpool have a corner after a marauding run forward by Alexander-Arnold. His delivery though is dealt with by Atalanta.
9:12PM 51 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Nearly chaos at the back for Atalanta. Liverpool play the ball over the top and Musso comes rushing out of his goal as he has done on a few occasions tonight. The ball spins past him but Atalanta just about clear away.
9:10PM 50 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Chance for Atalanta. Zappacosta sends in a cross from the right. Miranchuk messes up the first chance but it falls at the feet of Ederson, whose shot is saved by Alisson. That was a real opportunity for the home side.
9:09PM 48 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Atalanta have the first corner of the second half after Liverpool felt they should have had a free-kick in the build-up for a foul on Mac Allister.
They play the corner short but the delivery is way over-hit and Liverpool have a throw-in.
9:05PM Second half We are back under way in Bergamo. Back in 2019 on that famous night at Anfield Liverpool were 1-0 up at half-time against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. We all know how that game finished. Liverpool fans will be hoping for a repeat in the next 45 minutes.
8:53PM HT scores All four games in the Europa League quarter-finals are at half-time. Here are the latest scores at the break:
Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (3-1 agg)
Roma 2-0 AC Milan (3-0 agg)
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-2 agg)
Marseille 0-0 Benfica (1-2 agg)
8:47PM Half-time Referee Francois Letexier blows his whistle and that is it for the first half. Liverpool lead 1-0 on the night but still trail 3-1 on aggregate.
Half-time in Bergamo. #UEL pic.twitter.com/34Pdc9vrMT
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024 8:45PM 45 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
8:45PM 44 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Alexander-Arnold's free-kick goes straight into the wall. Liverpool recycle it and first, Mac Allister has a shot blocked, then it falls to Alexander-Arnold but his effort is terrible and sails over the bar.
8:43PM 42 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Hien is booked for a handball as Salah lifted the ball forward towards Diaz. The Liverpool players want a straight red as they believe it denied a goal-scoring chance.
Diaz has also been booked, seemingly for dissent. Alexander-Arnold has the ball in his hands, just inside 30 yards out.
8:42PM 41 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Koopmeiners thinks he has scored for Atalanta but the offside flag is up. The Liverpool defensive line pushed up and caught the Dutch midfielder offside.
8:40PM 39 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Huge miss from Salah. Gakpo sends the Egyptian through one-on-one with Musso, who is off his line. Salah spots it and tries to lift it over him, but his effort goes wide. Salah should have done better there and should have buried that chance.
Mo Salah (pictured) could not double his tally for the night Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters 8:36PM 35 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Aston Villa are through to the Europa Conference League semi-finals, having beaten Lille 4-3 on penalties.
8:32PM 31 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Liverpool lift a ball over the top and it looks like Salah is going to be one-on-one with Musso but the Atalanta goalkeeper is quick to come miles off his line to clear.
Moments later Gakpo is sent through. He checks back and finds Salah on the edge of the box. He nearly finds Diaz with a cute pass into the box but it is cut out.
Salah's free role is causing Atalanta problems, but he is yet to use good possession well enough. All a bit too hectic from Liverpool since that perfect start.
8:29PM 28 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Miranchuk's effort with is left foot just inside the Liverpool box goes wide of the far post.
8:23PM 23 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Over in France the Conference League game between Lille and Aston Villa has gone to penalties.
8:22PM 22 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Alexander-Arnold lifts a cross with his left to the far post, Jones cushions a header to Salah, whose first touch is not great and Atalanta can clear.
8:21PM 21 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Alexander-Arnold lifts a ball forward towards Szoboszlai, who cannot quite get it under his control and it runs through to Musso.
8:17PM 16 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) There has been a goal at the London Stadium where West Ham have got the opening goal of the second leg through Michail Antonio. Bayer Leverkusen lead 2-1 on aggregate.
8:13PM 12 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) So close for Diaz. Gakpo's lovely first-time flick finds Diaz inside the box but Musso is off his line quickly again to smother the shot.
8:10PM 9 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 1 (3-1 agg) Salah nearly finds Szoboszlai with a through ball but Musso is off his line quickly to collect the ball.
8:08PM GOAL! Salah scores from the spot Exactly the start Liverpool needed. Salah slams it home into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Musso the wrong way.
Alexander-Arnold has already shown he is the man to break the man-marking system. Dream start for Liverpool.
7:47PM Liverpool gearing upIce 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 8:06PM VAR checking There was a VAR check but the decision stands. Salah to take...
8:06PM Penalty Liverpool Just five minutes gone and Liverpool have a penalty. Alexander-Arnold sends in a cross from the right which hits Ruggeri's hand and the referee points straight to the spot.
8:04PM 2 minutes: Atalanta 0 Liverpool 0 (3-0 agg) Play has been stopped as Van Dijk has hurt his hand so he is receiving some medical treatment. It looks like he may have dislocated his finger but he is fine to continue.
If Klopp told his players to get their fingers out after the first leg, not sure that was what he had in mind. Van Dijk needing some early treatment for a dislocated digit (is that the technical term?)
8:00PM Kick-off We are under way in Bergamo. Can Liverpool turn it around to make it another special European night or will it be Atalanta booking their place in the semi-finals?
7:56PM Kick-off fast approaching Both sides have emerged from the tunnel at Gewiss Stadium and we are just moments away from kick-off in Bergamo.
7:54PM Reminder of the team news Atalanta: Musso, Gjimshiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Al. Miranchuk, Scamacca.
Substitutes:Carnesecchi, Rossi, Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Bonfanti.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Substitutes:Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Danns, Quansah.
7:51PM Jurgen Klopp speaking to TNT "We didn't do ourselves a favour in the first leg. We just need to try and win the football game and get ahead and then we'll see how much time is left. We'll have to be good in all departments because they are a well-drilled unit and they are used to defending a result and that is probably what they'll do today. We have to nothing to lose and they pretty much have nothing to win from here. If we get back in the game it will be a bit nervy for them. We have to use it.
"We don't have a real advantage but there are some between the lines and that is what we have to try. We have to play a really good football game. We don't have to score twice in the first 10 minutes, but we should not concede in that time. We need a complete performance. We're here to give it a proper try."
#UEL pic.twitter.com/ac0HbWyy0g
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024 7:44PM Live from Bergamo Maybe there is something in the air. Maybe it is because of the demise of Manchester City which was heartily celebrated in certain Bergamo establishments last night. Or maybe it is because Klopp has picked a stronger side. But there has been a growing confidence Liverpool will pull this off as the day has progressed. The first 30 minutes will demonstrate if it is misplaced. In an unscientific straw poll, the Atalanta-supporting taxi driver who drove me to last night's press conference fears a Liverpool comeback, but the Atalanta-loving pizza waitress who served my delicious lunch is certain her side will be in the semi-final.
7:41PM Aston Villa score crucial goal Matty Cash's deflected strike has brought Aston Villa level 3-3 on aggregate. The referee has just blown his whistle at the end of normal time and they are heading for extra time in Lille.
7:39PM Liverpool getting ready7:36PM Home side gearing upTime for warm-ups pic.twitter.com/um7rSdZW6p - Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024
Insieme All together #AtalantaLiverpool #UEL #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/GNik4ur5Eg
- Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) April 18, 2024 7:29PM Fancy a flutter? Having a bet on today's match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers.
7:23PM Can West Ham end Leverkusen's unbeaten run? At the London Stadium West Ham are hoping to overturn a 2-0 deficit against newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten this season. You can follow the action from the London Stadium here.
7:20PM Aston Villa heading out? In the Europa Conference League Aston Villa are over in France taking on Lille. Aston Villa held a 2-1 lead going into the second leg, but Lille are currently 2-0 up in the second leg and as it stands Villa are going out as they are 3-2 down on aggregate. There are 15 minutes left of normal time and you can follow all the live action here.
7:18PM Captain Virgil7:08PM Liverpool arrivingpic.twitter.com/guoBRlNVjo - Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024
The Reds have arrived #UEL pic.twitter.com/c7SFPGmO4T
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024 7:04PM The two sides in black and white... Atalanta XI: Musso, Gjimshiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Al. Miranchuk, Scamacca.
Subs: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Bonfanti.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Danns, Quansah.
7:01PM Atalanta starting XI Ready for some melodrama?
6:57PM Carra's view...Scendiamo in campo cosi!
How we line up to take on Liverpool!#AtalantaLiverpool #UEL #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/yAFteK6zNm - Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) April 18, 2024
My stance has obviously changed after the Crystal Palace result! Throw the lot at it Jurgen!! #ATALIV https://t.co/q7zXXp0W0R
- Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 18, 2024 6:57PM Last night in Europe for Liverpool legends? By John Horstmann
With Klopp leaving in the summer, a mini-revolution is likely to take place at Liverpool, with Michael Edwards - who was key to Liverpool's success under Klopp in his various roles at the club between 2011 and 2022 - returning as chief football executive of FSG.
Edwards is known for using advanced data models to make football decisions, including player recruitment and outgoings. He is also known to prefer investing in younger talents, with more experienced players rarely handed lucrative long-term contracts.
With that in mind, tonight could also be the last European match for some of Liverpool's older star players - Mohamed Salah, in particular.
After penning a three-year deal in 2022, which made him the highest paid player in Liverpool's history, the forward's contract expires in 2025.
While Salah, who turns 32 in June, remains Liverpool's most potent attacker, Edwards may argue that the club is best off cashing in on him this summer, rather than handing him a new deal that would keep him in Merseyside until his mid-30s or risk him leaving for free at the end of next season.
Telegraph Sport reported in 2023 that teams in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Ittihad, were willing to splash more than PS150 million on Salah last summer - a sum that may be deemed too high for Liverpool to turn down - should another such offer arrive.
Were Klopp to stay on as manager, he might have pushed for Salah to receive a new deal and stay at the club. But with Edwards in charge and a new manager arriving, this is far less certain.
6:55PM 'Gakpo has looked sharper' No surprise Darwin Nunez has been left out given his recent form. Cody Gakpo has looked sharper. Klopp's message is surely to score the first goal and prey on nerves. Suspect Klopp would be happy for his side to be ahead after an hour and then launch a cavalry charge if and when necessary.
It should also be said that Klopp's line-up screams of how he got his selection wrong in the first leg. Had it been so strong a week ago, perhaps his side would not be trying to complete another miracle.
6:52PM Liverpool starting XIHow we line up to take on Atalanta #UEL
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 18, 2024 6:51PM 'Liverpool historians will be fretful' What links Red Star Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium, Poland's Miejski Lodz Stadium and Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium?
Hopefully absolutely nothing by the end of the night.
Liverpool historians will be fretful, however, that tonight's venue will be an addition to a future question on the TV show 'Only Connect' - the final European destinations for legendary Kop bosses.
In 1973, the Serbian venue was where Bill Shankly ended his European exertions as a Liverpool manager. Unfancied Widzew Lodz stopped Bob Paisley signing off with another European Cup in 1983, defeating Liverpool in the European Cup quarter-final.
Now Jurgen Klopp is hoping he has at least two more cities to visit before he passes the torch to his yet-to-be named successor.
Having led Liverpool to the great football cathedrals of Madrid, Milan, Paris and Barcelona over the past nine years, this would feel like a low-key end to Klopp's celebrated adventures on the continent. With the arena under reconstruction, only 900 Liverpool fans will be among the 25,000 crowd. The Liverpool manager said the minimum requirement is for his team to play better than in the first leg. They can't play any worse.
6:39PM Preview: Visitors have it all to do Liverpool have a mountain to climb to make the Europa League semi-finals as they travel to Italy tonight to take on Atalanta in their quarter-final second leg. Atalanta won 3-0 at Anfield a week ago thanks to a double from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca and a goal from former Chelsea player Mario Pasalic.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping to evoke the spirit of their Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona in 2019. Klopp's side were 3-0 down from the first leg but staged an incredible comeback to win 4-0 at Anfield to reach the final, where they beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid to win their sixth European Cup.
"I usually don't prepare these things like that, especially not the day before or four years before whatever," Klopp said. "I remember I said, 'If we fail, then let's fail in the most beautiful way'. And that's exactly how I see it again.
"After the game (last week) everyone in the stadium thought 'that's it'. Now it's a week later I don't think everyone thinks it is already decided. We want to win the game. If we want to win, we better play good. If we play good, we have a chance to win it. Then we will see."
Liverpool's last three games in all competitions have been a huge disappointment. Liverpool drew 2-2 at Manchester United in the league before the defeat at home to Atalanta. Then on Sunday they lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
These two sides were drawn in the same group during the 2020-21 Champions League season. Liverpool lost 2-0 at home to Atalanta but won 5-0 over in Bergamo thanks to a hat-trick from Diogo Jota, who is back fit again after a knee injury. Liverpool fans will be hoping for a similar result in Italy tonight. Jurgen Klopp will be without defender Conor Bradley tonight, who is set to miss three weeks with an ankle injury picked up in the defeat to Crystal Palace. But Trent Alexander-Arnold returned from a knee injury in the first leg and is set to make his first start since his injury.
Team news to follow shortly.