LIVERPOOL FALL SHORT IN COMEBACK ATTEMPT AS JURGEN KLOPP SAYS EUROPEAN FAREWELL - 5 TALKING POINTS

Liverpool's hopes of lifting a treble have been ruined after bowing out of the Europa League vs Atalanta.

The Reds had a huge task on their hands after losing 3-0 to the Italian side at Anfield last week. Briefly, it looked as though they could do the impossible as Mo Salah gave Liverpool the perfect start in Bergamo with his seventh-minute penalty.

However, the Reds did not threaten anywhere near enough as Atalanta kept their Premier League hosts at arms' length. Liverpool now turn their attention back to domestic action and their fight to win the league.

Elsewhere, Atalanta move into the semi-finals, where they will take on either Marseille or Benfica. Here are all of the talking points from a tricky night in Bergamo for Liverpool:

Liverpool enjoy perfect start

There was one way to get Atalanta nervous - and that was finding the net early on. Liverpool did just that through Salah. Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was blocked by Matteo Ruggeri's arm and the Reds were handed a spot-kick.

Salah claimed responsibilty and he struck clinically to reduce his side's deficit to two. Klopp's side did not stop there as they swarmed on their Italian opponents, with their attacking intent clear from the off. Salah should even have scored a second before the break but somehow lifted an effort miles wide of goal.

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Atalanta escape red

Liverpool looked as though they were set to double their lead shortly after Salah's goal as Luis Diaz was released in-behind. It looked as though the Colombian would race through one-on-one.

Isak Hien stuck out an arm to halt the ball in its tracks as it bounced up. Understandably, most of the Liverpool side appealed for a red - but the referee was no too convinced and only brandished a yellow.

Hien stayed on the pitch. And the Reds might point to that incident as a turning point given if he was off the pitch, they might have been able to score two further goals and level the tie.

Liverpool struggle for fluency

Despite looking very bright in the early stages, Atalanta soon managed to stem the tide of Liverpool attacks. After the break, the Reds looked a completely different prospect and did not create anywhere near enough to threaten a comeback.

There were a clutch of balls in-behind and some promising exchanges, but nothing that could be labelled as a golden chance. It is a problem that is starting to cost Liverpool.

Klopp's side have scored just one goal in their last three games. They must rediscover their creativity - and soon - if they want to remain in the race for the Premier League.

Klopp's Liverpool European career over

It's official, Jurgen Klopp has managed his last European game as Liverpool boss. But, boy, what a ride it was for the Reds. Three Champions League finals - one victorious.

There was also a Europa League final in there too. There's also those memorable comebacks against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona at Anfield.

While Klopp wasn't able to stage yet another heroic comeback, he will reflect on a job well done at establishing the Reds once more among Europe's elite.

Gasperini gives glimpse

Speaking of the Liverpool hotseat, there's a number of contenders to replace Klopp. One of those names is Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini - and he has done his chances no damage whatsoever.

Atalanta were disciplined, organised and did enough to just get over the line. While they are not the swashbuckling side of yesteryear, they are still a very good footballing outfit and deserved to find a way beyond the Reds. That is what Liverpool could potentially look like next season should Gasperini get the job.

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2024-04-18T21:00:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd