Much-changed Liverpool were stunned by Serie A's sixth-placed side Atalanta at Anfield, as the Italians cruised to a 3-0 first-leg lead in their Europa League quarter-final tie.
Jurgen Klopp's side were indebted to their goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the first half for a string of superb stops, including one with his face, but he could do nothing about the onslaught that followed.
Mario Pasalic had a glorious opportunity to stun The Kop in the third minute as he drew a wonderful, sprawling save from Kelleher, but the floodgates opened in the 38th minute.
Gianluca Scamacca peeled off Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk centrally, applying a cool first-time finish to Davide Zappacosta's low cross. "We were wide open," said Van Dijk after the final whistle. A frank admission.
Comments