SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 5 hrs 20 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
LL
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 25, 2020 at 8pm UK
Anfield
AL

Liverpool
0 - 2
Atalanta


Tsimikas (58')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ilicic (60'), Gosens (64')
de Roon (89')

Impressive Atalanta BC overcome Liverpool at Anfield

:Headline: Result: Impressive Atalanta BC overcome Liverpool at Anfield: ID:423791: from db_amp
Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens netted for the Italian side.

Liverpool’s hopes of early progress to the Champions League knockout stages were dealt a blow as Jurgen Klopp’s gamble backfired in a 2-0 defeat at home to Atalanta.

The Reds boss made five changes from Sunday’s victory over Leicester, including altering three of his back four, and paid for it with a lack of cohesion and rhythm which allowed last season’s quarter-finalists to become the first team to win at Anfield in 90 minutes since Chelsea in September 2018.

Even the return of Mohamed Salah after his positive Covid-19 test could not lift the side out of their torpor – or help them generate a shot on target in 90 minutes – as second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens ensured there would be no option for Klopp to rest players in both of their final two matches.

Victory over Ajax next week would still guarantee safe passage and with December’s schedule, Klopp will want to avoid the nightmare scenario of having something to play for with the final game against Midtjylland.

The introduction of the Williams defenders Neco and Rhys meant, including Curtis Jones, Liverpool were the first side to name three British teenagers in a Champions League starting line-up since Arsenal against Olympiacos in almost 11 years.

Three of Liverpool’s back four had just 23 first-team appearances between them so there was an understandable reticence to come flying out of the blocks as they adjusted to their new surroundings.

But that played into Atalanta’s hands with Papu Gomez having a significant influence on proceedings.

Liverpool played like they were a team treading water and waiting for the second-half cavalry and it infuriated Klopp, who on more than one occasion bellowed at striker Divock Origi for his lack of movement and Kostas Tsimikas, making only his second start since Lincoln in the Carabao Cup, for his positioning.

That they reached half-time goalless owed a lot to Alisson Becker’s sharp near-post save from Gosens’ shot and referee Carlos Grande spotting Ilicic’s obvious attempt to win a penalty when he was touched by Liverpool’s left-back.

Josip Ilicic put Atalanta ahead at Anfield (Martin Rickett/PA)

Salah’s shot a minute before the break was the hosts’ only effort and it sailed into the Anfield Road End.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Klopp had seen enough and called for reinforcements, sending on Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmimo, Fabinho and Andy Robertson.

But with the quartet stood on the sidelines waiting to come on, Atalanta took the lead when Gomez’s inswinging cross was turned in by Ilicic.

They barely had time to make their presence felt before the visitors’ lead was doubled with the unmarked Gosens side-footing home a Hans Hateboer header almost exactly three years to the day since he scored across Stanley Park against Everton.

amp_article__423791 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-25 22:58:07:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 07:33:01 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .