Atalanta stunned Liverpool to record a 3-0 victory at Anfield in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash, with two first-time finishes from the impressive Gianluca Scamacca and a third from Mario Pasalic, which topped of a first-class display from the Croatian international. Check out the player ratings.
Liverpool
Kelleher 5 – Some important saves coming off his line in the first half, but was ultimately unable to prevent the Atalanta onslaught.
Gomez 4.5 – Didn’t look particularly comfortable, and as a centre-back converted to a full-back, was not the most creative in attacking phases.
Konate 5.5 – Not necessarily at fault individually for Liverpool’s shortcomings, but was part of a back-line that always looked under threat.
Van Dijk 5 – Same as his partner, the Liverpool skipper looked surprisingly under threat most times Atalanta broke forwards.
Tsimikas 5 – Replaced at half-time by first-choice Robertson, who shone considerably more than the Greek Scouser. (Robertson 6.5)
Jones 5 – The second of three who were replaced at half-time. Didn’t show enough in the first period, when Atalanta had Liverpool under pressure in the middle of the park. (Szoboszlai 6)
Endo 6 – Plenty of energy, but not the easiest of nights in midfield with Atalanta’s impressive pressing. (Jota 6)
Mac Allister 5.5 – Not afforded the time or space on the ball to create any significant chances.
Elliott 6 – Struck both posts with one shot in the second half, another of Klopp’s three half-time substitutions. (Salah 6)
Nunez 5 – Always in the right area, but didn’t have his shooting boots on on this occasion. (Diaz 5)
Gakpo 6.5 – Liverpool’s most likely source of a goal and was probably Klopp’s strongest performer on the night.
Atalanta
Musso 6 – A surprisingly quiet night for the Atalanta ‘keeper. Did well to prevent Salah when Liverpool were applying the pressure around the hour mark.
Djimsiti 6.5 – An important part of a strong Atalanta back-three that managed to keep Liverpool at bay for the vast majority of the night.
Hien 6 – Perhaps a little too keen to win the ball back early on, but seemed to settle down well after his booking in the 25th minute.
De Roon 7 – Another impressive display in the back-line, got involved in the dirty work in the second half, and always provided La Dea with an outlet from the back.
Zappacosta 7.5 – Some excellent first half crosses, one of which turned out to be the assist for Scamacca’s opener.
Ederson 6.5 – Lost control on the ball a handful of times, but was an important part of Atalanta’s pressing game, which had Liverpool noticeably troubled in the first half. Could have scored towards the end, but his saved effort fell nicely to Pasalic to tuck home.
Pasalic 8.5 – An impressive all-action display in the middle of the park both on the ball and without it, topped off with a tap-in for Atalanta’s third.
Ruggeri 7 – Very athletic moving forwards, and found himself with plenty of space in front of the defensive-minded Gomez on the right of Liverpool’s back line.
Koopmeiners 6.5 – Not his most spectacular performance by his usual high standards, but was still Atalanta’s creator in chief behind the front two.
De Ketelaere 7 – Made the wrong call by attempting a cut-back instead of shooting when Zappacosta found him in the area after a quarter of an hour, but made amends with his inch-perfect assist for Scamacca’s second.
Scamacca 9.5 – Two excellent finishes, both with his first touch, to bring his tally up to five goals in his last five matches in all competitions. Created the opportunity that led to Atalanta’s third and was unfortunate not to come away with a hat-trick. A message to Luciano Spaletti perhaps. (Mirancuk 5)