Jurgen Klopp admits he has ‘no idea’ if Liverpool can turn the Europa League quarter-final around after losing 3-0 at home to Atalanta. ‘It was really bad.’
The Reds were unbeaten in 34 competitive games this season, winning 23 of their last 26, and had only lost at Anfield in the Europa League once to Udinese back in 2012.
They were the favourites to walk the competition, but instead face the prospect of crashing out in the quarter-finals after they were schooled by Gian Piero Gasperini on their own turf.
“Yeah unfortunately there is nothing really positive to say about the game. The start was good. Darwin Nunez had a good moment but from that moment on it became a really bad game and there is nothing positive to say,” Klopp told TNT Sports.
Gianluca Scamacca scored twice, with Mario Pasalic turning in the rebound from a save on Ederson, but Teun Koopmeiners and Pasalic were twice denied when totally clear on goal.
"There's nothing really positive to say"
Jurgen Klopp reflects on 3-0 loss to Atalanta at Anfield with @Becky_Ives_…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qFlyV8qM2t
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 11, 2024
“I didn’t like our tactical positioning in possession. We gave them one situation by passing the ball there, then everyone was chasing another guy. We scored one that was offside, but it was a bad game from us. Atalanta had a good game, scored three goals and deserved to win.”
With a 3-0 deficit and having to go to Bergamo next Thursday, can Liverpool turn this around and reach the semi-final?
“I will watch this game on Monday. I know already that if we do a couple of things better, we will be better. Can we win it back? Yes, if we play good, it is possible. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea. But this feels really bad and that’s important.
“That was a bad performance and that’s how it is. That’s how we lost. It feels always in this moment that they are through but until we play, they are not.”
Klopp was adamant his players ought to feel pain at how badly they performed and use this to fuel them going forward.
“We haven’t had that that often so we have to show a reaction immediately on Sunday. In this moment it must feel bad. The lads must go home and sleep badly. But we must prepare for Crystal Palace.
“A lot of performances tonight were really ‘oops, wow, I didn’t know they could play like that.’ A lot of the players looked really alone in a lot of moments. It was really bad. We had our biggest chances in the end and didn’t use them.
“I know the boys can play better football, but they didn’t do it tonight and we have to show a reaction on Sunday. I’m pretty sure they will do that.”
🗣️ "We played a bad game and we deserved to lose"
Jurgen Klopp reflects on Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta 🔴❌ pic.twitter.com/BZ3vgsFuQ3
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 11, 2024
typical prem top 4 arrogance. if they win, they’re the best but if the opposition win then only because liverpool were bad. pathetic.
Pride dominates premier league clubs yet the level of their games are below par.
Albert, 100% agree. Also as I stated in my other comment, they should stop treating Atalanta like a “surprise package”. No, they are not that kind of club anymore.
We had sent a warning: https://football-italia.net/ruben-amorim-agreement-should-warn-liverpool-about-underrated-gasperini-and-atalanta/ 😉