(Atalanta-Liverpool 0–1, 3–1 on aggregate) Liverpool were far from being a miracle. The question now is whether Jurgen Klopp will be left almost empty-handed after the season.
The short version
- Liverpool lost on aggregate to Atalanta in the Europa League.
- Jurgen Klopp and his team are also trailing in the league title race after recent defeats.
- Supporters club leader Tore Hansen says fans are disappointed with the team's standard, but there is still hope.
The League Cup is already in the box, and 2024 looks to be the spring in which Liverpool will be fighting on all fronts.
A month after Jurgen Klopp's sons smoked in the FA Cup match against Manchester United, things have completely changed.
Atalanta were very strong during their two Europa League matches. Liverpool were nowhere close to recovering from the 3-0 loss at Anfield on Thursday evening. Mohamed Salah's early penalty kick did not ignite much fire for the visitors in Bergamo.
– We were very weak in the previous match. We made it very difficult for ourselves. We won, but it doesn't feel like it. We need to change this situation very quickly. We need everyone to be with us until the end, Virgil van Dijk said in an interview with TNT Sports.
Europa League quarter-finals:
Atalanta (Italy) – Liverpool (England) 0-1 (3-1 on aggregate)
Roma (Italy) – Milan (Italy) 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate)
West Ham (England) – Leverkusen (Germany) 1-1 (1-3 on aggregate).
Extra rounds played: Marseille (France) – Benfica (Portugal) 1-0 (2-2 on aggregate),
The semi-final matches will be held on May 2 and 9:
Benfica / Marseille – Atalanta
Roma – Leverkusen.
The final will be held in Dublin on May 22.
– Liverpool will have a dream opening. They were very good at first. Then the second half becomes an anti-climax with no energy. Atalanta has complete control, says former national team coach Niels Johan Semp in the Viaplay studio.
Losing to Crystal Palace at the weekend means Klopp and his side have also ended up in contention for the league title.
The last 30 days have been a nightmare for Liverpool fans.
– Everyone is disappointed. There is nothing to hide. Tore Hansen, president of the Norwegian Liverpool Supporters Club, says there are only a few matches left.
He was one of 700 spectators in Italy on Thursday night, and spoke to VG before Liverpool's exit became a reality.
– Sometimes there are matches that are difficult to interpret. Whether against Atalanta or Palace, we are primarily the ones who disappointed. “We went on a little spree and it's hard to explain,” says Tori Hansen.
Jan Åge Fjørtoft thought this should have been a red card:
– The Palace match in particular came suddenly out of the blue. No one expected that,” says Hansen.
- In the last five matches In the league, Liverpool ranks sixth among the best teams with eight points. Bournemouth got more points.
- In the last ten matches Arsenal and City earned four and five points respectively more than Liverpool in the league.
– We built it to be a great end to the season. When the draw came, everyone was happy. They faced the easier opponent, and perhaps their heads were not where they should be, Hansen says of Brexit.
note. Losses to Liverpool and West Ham mean England will likely miss out on a top-five Champions League spot, although the chance still exists.
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