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.
Liverpool 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 stunning, 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.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah appears dejected after Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca scores his second goal at Anfield
Liverpool’s defence again went missing as Scamacca scored his second on the hour mark – minutes after Jurgen Klopp had introduced Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson from the bench – side-footing Charles De Ketelaere’s delivery beyond Kelleher.
Pasalic then atoned for his earlier miss by tapping into an empty net from Kelleher’s poor parry in the 84th minute.
What’s next?
Liverpool host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm, kick-off 2pm. They then travel to Italy for the second leg of the quarter-final next Thursday, kick-off 8pm.
Atalanta will have more than 24 hours less rest ahead of the return leg, with a Serie A home game against Verona on Monday to contend with first, kick-off 7.45pm.
