Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool players should struggle to sleep after Thursday’s chastening Europa League defeat to Atalanta, questioning whether a comeback is possible.
Atalanta put one foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a stunning 3-0 win at Anfield in the first leg of the teams’ last-eight tie, with Gianluca Scamacca netting twice before Mario Pasalic completed the rout.
Liverpool were second-best for long periods as an energetic Atalanta side smothered them all over the pitch, and if not for misses from Pasalic and Teun Koopmeiners, the result could have been even more emphatic.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the defeat, Klopp admitted to being unsure whether Liverpool have a comeback in them and said he was shocked by some players’ individual performances.
“Unfortunately there is nothing really positive to say about the game,” the German said.
“We scored one goal that was offside through Mo [Salah] but it was a bad game from us. Atalanta had a good game, scored three goals and deserved to win.
“Can we win in Bergamo? Yes, if we play well it is possible. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea.
“It feels like they are practically though, then you realise that until we play, they are not quite through and they have to play another game.”
A memorable night for Atalanta at Anfield 😤#UEL pic.twitter.com/I007tEZvy9
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 11, 2024
Asked how the result might affect his team as they prepare to resume their Premier League title hunt against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Klopp said: “We didn’t have this that often so I can’t say, but we have to show a reaction.
“On Sunday we have another game. In this moment it must feel really, really bad. The lads must go home and sleep badly.
“So many performances tonight were like, ‘oops, I didn’t know he could play like that’. I know the boys can play better football but they didn’t do it tonight and we have to show a reaction on Sunday.”
Liverpool go to Bergamo for the second leg next Thursday, requiring a miraculous turnaround to tee up a last-four meeting with either Benfica or Marseille, with the Portuguese giants holding a 2-1 first-leg lead in that tie.
