PLAYER RATINGS: Two Liverpool stars score just 5/10 as Jurgen Klopp’s side fail to deliver comeback against Atalanta to crash out of Europa League
Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League at the quarter-finals despite a 1-0 win over Atalanta on Thursday, as the team slumped to a 3-1 aggregate defeat.
Trailing 3-0 from the opening match, Liverpool immediately started to make amends and took the lead after just seven minutes that evening through a penalty from Mohamed Salah.
The hosts might have expected an attack after that, but it never came as Liverpool ran out of ideas as the match progressed.
The result moved Atalanta into the last four, while Liverpool now only have the league to concentrate on as they look to deliver the perfect send-off to Jurgen Klopp.
Mail Sport’s Sam Brookes rated the players from both teams on Thursday evening.
Jürgen Klopp saw his team crash out of the Europa League on Thursday evening
Atalanta (3-4-2-1)
Juan Musso-6.5
Sharp off his line to deny Diaz inside the opening 15 minutes as Liverpool started on the front foot.
Juan Musso got off his line well and denied Luis Diaz within the first 15 minutes
Berat Djimsiti – 6.5
Produced a crucial interception to cut out a through ball from Salah which looked to put Diaz on target.
Isak Hien-6
A bit of luck to get away with only a yellow card after a flawless handball in the first half. Whether he was the last man standing is debatable – a call that could have gone either way. Things looked more comfortable in the second half.
Sea Kolasinac – 6
Not easy for the ex-Arsenal man against a lively Liverpool front line in the first half, but had few problems after the break.
Ex-Arsenal star Sead Kolasinac coped better with Liverpool’s attack the longer the match went on
Davide Zappacosta-6
Given a test by Diaz and Robertson down his flank. The former Chelsea defender stood his ground.
Marten de Roon-6
Very different from the player who once struggled at Middlesbrough. He wasn’t afraid to test his team and was a solid presence in midfield here.
Ederson-5.5
Usually one of the more creative players in this Atalanta team, but this was more about Atalanta trying to stay solid. Not really a game for him.
Matteo Ruggeri-5
Gave away an early penalty with a handball. Maybe a bit harsh, but nowadays you have to keep your arms closer to your body. Wasteful with a cross in the second half when it is also well positioned.
Matteo Ruggeri conceded a soft penalty in the first half with an unnecessary handball
Teum Koopmeiners – 5.5
Has been linked with a move to the Premier League, possibly even Liverpool. Found the net in the first half, but was just offside. For the rest it was a quiet match.
Alexey Miranchuk – 6.5
Made a number of threatening runs to stretch Liverpool’s defense.
Gianluca Scamacca-6
He wasn’t nearly as dangerous in the first leg, but was still a handful for Liverpool’s backline at times.
Substitutes
Charles De Ketelaere (for Scamacca, 75) – 6
Mario Pasalic (for Ederson, 75) – 6
Ademola Lookman (for Miranchuk 80) – 6.5
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson-6.5
Very safe with its handling when called upon. An own goal by Van Dijk in the first half was also prevented, although the offside flag was raised late.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5
An excellent cross-field pass in the opening minutes set the tone, before his cross forced the early penalty. Tired after the break, which is understandable after his injury layoff.
Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his full passing range as he returned from injury
Ibrahima Konate – 5.5
A little shaky at times. Can be a little too eager to win the ball, while jockeying for possession would be the better option.
Virgil van Dijk – 6.5
Seemed to suffer a finger injury at the start of the match, but fought on. A typically composed performance by the Dutchman.
Andy Robertson-6
He gave everything as always, but was handled well by Zappacosta and De Roon on that side.
Alexis MacAllister – 5.5
Did a great job during a difficult period for Liverpool, but this time he wasn’t quite at the top of his game.
Dominik Szoboszlai-5
It has been difficult in recent weeks and his last ball was not in order here either.
Dominik Szoboszlai was occasionally sloppy in possession, while his decline in form continued
Curtis Jones-5
Still working his way back from injury, he was unable to make an impact on the game and gave the ball away too cheaply.
Mohammed Salah – 5.5
Not always the most reliable from the spot, but he smashed home his penalty to give Liverpool hope. Played on later in the first half, but his lob attempt went wide. He was not at his best with his link-up play and was taken off the field in the second half.
Mohamed Salah scored an early penalty but was wasteful with his final pass and then finished
Luis Diaz-6
He brought his usual energy to the match, but his end product wasn’t quite good enough and he went off after 66 minutes.
Cody Gakpo – 6.5
Looked sharp straight away with a promising dribble and didn’t slow down the game like it sometimes does. A much more positive outing.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (for Salah, 66) – 5.5
Diogo Jota (for Diaz, 66) – 5.5
Harvey Elliott (for Szoboszlai, 66) – 6
Joe Gomez (for Alexander-Arnold, 72) – 6
Jayden Danns (for Robertson, 80) – N/A